Aue brings together a range of interests: at Heidelsberg, an educational trail explores the history of mining; Friedenskirche Aue-Zelle is an example of Art Nouveau architecture; and Zoo der Minis is all about small animal breeds. There are also walks among bridges and historic house façades. When planning your stay, you can prioritise these attractions according to your interests in history, architecture, nature or exercise.
Mining history at Heidelsberg and in the town museum
The mining heritage trail at Heidelsberg uses display and information boards as well as historic mining features to teach visitors about mining from the 17th to the 19th century. More than 200 mines once extracted tin ore at Heidelsberg. The historical period and traces of mining give the route a clear thematic focus; walking it is described as an impressive nature experience.
The trail starts at the town museum and leads to the Huthaus of the Weiße Erdenzeche St. Andreas mine. The museum presents local history and the area’s historic mining in a reconstructed 17th-century Huthaus. It is set in the middle of a former miners’ settlement. The museum is just a few minutes’ walk from the town centre, heading towards St. Nicolaikirche and the Eichert residential area. This makes the museum and the trail two distinct ways to explore mining history: an exhibition in a historic building on the one hand, and the trail’s stops at Heidelsberg on the other.
Kaolin, an especially pure clay, is also associated with Aue. It provided the basis for J. F. Böttger to produce white porcelain in Europe for the first time. This connection adds another dimension to the region’s industrial history: alongside the mines, the focus here is a raw material that was important for porcelain production.
Art Nouveau and city walks
Friedenskirche Aue-Zelle was designed and built according to plans by Dresden building councillors Schilling & Gräbner. It is considered an outstanding example of Art Nouveau in religious architecture. The church was consecrated on Laetare Sunday, 22 March 1914. Visitors interested in architecture will find both a precise historical date and a stylistic context for the building.
A walk through Aue can also take in numerous bridges and the façades of old bourgeois houses from the Gründerzeit and Art Nouveau periods. Friedenskirche and the house façades offer different perspectives on Art Nouveau: religious architecture on the one hand and urban residential architecture on the other. The bridges are also among the sights to discover on foot as you explore the town.
Miniature animals and nature activities
Zoo der Minis in Aue specialises in miniature and dwarf animals and is described as the only zoo of its kind in the world. Its grounds are home to more than 400 miniature animals across over 70 species, including rare miniature forms from the wild and the world’s smallest domestic animal breeds. Animal numbers may change over time. There is also a playground on the grounds.
miniUNI complements the animal theme with activities under the motto “On the trail of nature”: these include seminars, workshops and opportunities to meet others. At miniUNI activities, you can observe small or large animals, look for tracks and gather herbs under the guidance of trained professionals. These activities combine observation with hands-on nature topics, without requiring you to focus on just one area.
Ice skating, swimming and regional travel
Icehouse Aue is located in the former workshop hall of the Wismut mining equipment company BBA. Its ice rink, measuring around 22 × 56 metres, is intended for recreational skating and endurance sports. If you plan to go skating, check the current opening dates before your visit. Aue’s indoor swimming pool is a sports pool where visitors can swim laps, offering another sporting activity alongside skating.
For travel within the wider Aue-Bad Schlema area: Aue-Bad Schlema can be reached by regional train via Zwickau or Chemnitz. Bus services connect key sights within the region; by car, the area can be reached via the B93, B101 or B169. Compare the location of each accommodation with the places you plan to visit.
Discover more destinations: Kurort Seiffen/Erzgebirge, Pockau, Thum, Breitenbrunn/Erzgebirge, Pfaffroda, Pobershau, Oberwiesenthal, Großrückerswalde.
Go to the overview of the wider travel area: Erzgebirgskreis.
