Annaberg-Buchholz can be explored from several different angles: mining history comes to life through church art, historical methods of calculation and visitor mines; there is also a guided tour of the old town and trails on Pöhlberg. This lets you choose different focuses for your stay, from a city walk to a hike.

City History and Mining

St. Anne’s Church is home to the Annaberg Mining Altar. Its imagery depicts mining in the Annaberg mining district in the early 16th century. From the 78.6-meter-high church tower, you can see across the city and the Ore Mountains; exhibitions are housed in the stairwell. The altar, the views and the exhibitions bring art and mining history together in one place.

The guided Annaberg World Heritage Tour takes you through the old town and covers historic treasures, imposing town houses, important churches and the city layout, which reflects the wealth generated by mining. Check when the tour is offered before your trip. Those particularly interested in mining history can also enter three visitor mines in Annaberg-Buchholz and explore the legacy of silver ore underground. Check access and opening times in advance to plan your visit accordingly.

Mining heritage, sacred art, traditional crafts and intricate artistry are also among the cultural discoveries in Annaberg-Buchholz. In the district of Frohnau, you can explore historic mine shafts, see traditional technology in operation and experience a landscape shaped by mining. Access to individual sites may vary. The Frohnauer Hammer preserves original hammer mill technology as a cultural monument to ore processing.

Arithmetic and Hands-On Activities

Alongside its mining history, Annaberg-Buchholz offers a unique way to explore the history of mathematics. The Adam Ries Museum is the only Adam Ries memorial site housed in a former home where Adam Ries lived. The Adam Ries House also reflects another connection with the region’s mining history: it forms part of the Annaberg-Frohnau component of the Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří Mining Region UNESCO World Heritage Site.

At the Annaberg Arithmetic School, you can learn historical methods of calculation from the time of Adam Ries under expert guidance. Visits are possible by prior arrangement. At the Adam Ries Museum, visitors can also earn an arithmetic diploma using Adam Ries’s methods. If you are interested in the art of calculation, this is a way to complement your exploration of the historical subject with hands-on practice.

Hiking on Pöhlberg

The mining educational trail on Pöhlberg is a 6.31-kilometer circular route of moderate difficulty, with panoramic views. It runs through the Pöhlberg mining landscape and is noted for its nature, scenery and views. Along the way, the trail passes the Pöhlbergalm natural monument; from there and along the trail, you can enjoy views across the Ore Mountain ridge. Check for trail closures before setting out.

The circular route combines a specific level of physical activity with scenery and a connection to mining. For a different way to discover the city’s World Heritage sites, there is the digital adventure trail: multimedia content connects visitors with UNESCO World Heritage sites. Families can also experience Annaberg-Buchholz from a different perspective. As digital content and access routes may change, we recommend checking the latest information before your visit.

Museums and Practical Information

The Manufaktur der Träume presents more than 1,000 works of art from four centuries of the Ore Mountains in an interactive museum and invites visitors to take part. The building is also home to the Schokoguschl chocolate demonstration workshop with a café. If you plan to visit, check what is currently available on site beforehand.

Annaberg-Buchholz can be reached by bus and train. There is regular local bus service, and parking is available at Kätplatz. The Annaberg-Buchholz Tourist Information Office can also help you plan: its services include guided city tours, group tour accompaniment, ticket sales and hiking maps. As transport, parking and tourist services may change, check the details before your trip.

The Region: Erzgebirgskreis

Beyond the city, Erzgebirgskreis offers a wider setting for hikes, with around 4,500 kilometers of signposted hiking trails. The Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří Mining Region has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since July 2019. In Annaberg-Buchholz, this mining heritage is reflected, among other places, at the Adam Ries House and in Frohnau’s mining history; the wider regional context complements these local points of connection without replacing them.

Discover more destinations: Schwarzenberg/Erzgebirge, Amtsberg, Eibenstock, Mildenau, Lugau, Raschau-Markersbach, Deutschneudorf, Lössnitz.

See the regional travel overview: Erzgebirgskreis.