Falkenau’s local history has a strong industrial and mining dimension: the Schreyersche spinning mill stands at Dorfstraße 15, and early modern silver mining developed along the Zechenbach stream. There are also trails leading to a range of destinations, a natural swimming lake and recurring festivals. The following places and topics offer concrete points of reference when choosing Falkenau for a stay.
Spinning and mining history
The Schreyersche spinning mill, also known as the Georg Liebermann cotton mill or the Lower Spinning Mill, is significant for its architectural, local, industrial and personal history. These four perspectives make the complex more than just the name of a former spinning mill: they point to the buildings, their importance to the town and its industrial history, as well as their connection to notable individuals. The address at Dorfstraße 15 locates the complex within Falkenau.
Silver mining is also part of the area’s history. It developed along the Zechenbach stream in the wider Falkenau mining area during the early modern period; a total of 29 shafts have been documented there.
Another historical trace concerns the site of today’s outdoor swimming pool. An ore-processing and washing plant was once planned there, but the Thirty Years’ War put an end to the project. The history of the swimming site thus extends beyond its present use as a natural swimming lake to include a plan that was never carried out.
Trails between Zechengrund and the Flöha
The Zechengrund educational trail leads to the portal of the Xaverius adit. The portal is the entrance to an adit, and here it names the trail’s specific destination. Anyone interested in mining history will find a clear connection between the trail’s name and a local reminder of the area’s mining past.
Mining hikes take place in Falkenau every year along the mining hiking trail and the mining educational trail in Zechengrund. These hikes add a recurring annual event to the route information; the exact dates may vary. A different perspective on the area is offered by the circular hike “From Flöha to the Hetzdorf Viaduct”: it follows the Flöha and passes through Falkenau on the way to the viaduct. The route leads to Falkenau along a footpath and cycle path, then crosses the Flöha floodplain, which is still relatively wide here. The routes therefore offer different points of interest: mining in Zechengrund and the Flöha floodplain on the circular hike to the viaduct.
Falkenau Nature Education Park includes a barefoot trail with a bed of prickly cones. A municipal report dated 21 August 2025 describes the trail; when the park opened, visitors could explore 12 stations. If you plan to visit the Nature Education Park, check current visiting arrangements in advance.
Natural swimming lake and festivals throughout the year
Falkenau outdoor swimming pool is a well-maintained old natural swimming lake in a scenic setting, used for swimming and relaxation. If you plan to spend a day swimming there, check visiting arrangements in advance. This keeps the natural swimming lake a distinct attraction alongside the historical sites and trails, without conflating a visit there with other activities in Falkenau.
Falkenau’s traditional Advent festival takes place every year on the first Sunday of Advent behind the Volkshaus. At the festival, the more than 30-year-old Falkenau Christmas pyramid is set in motion. This recurring date and distinctive festival tradition make Advent a specific reason to travel here at this time of year. As dates and programmes may change, check the latest event information before planning a trip specifically for the festival.
The transition from April to May is also marked by festivals in Falkenau. The long-standing Walpurgis Night tradition continues on 30 April with a dance into May at the festival grounds behind the Volkshaus. A maypole is erected in front of the Volkshaus on the May Day public holiday. The locations are precisely distinguished: Walpurgis Night takes place at the festival grounds behind the Volkshaus, while the maypole stands in front of the Volkshaus.
Falkenau can therefore be planned around a range of interests: its spinning and mining history, trails with named destinations, or a visit timed to one of the recurring festivals. For annual events, it is worth checking the latest dates; for the Nature Education Park and outdoor swimming pool, check visiting arrangements in advance.
Discover more destinations: Burgstädt, Erlau, Ostrau, Claußnitz, Hartmannsdorf, Kriebstein, Wechselburg, Halsbrücke
For the regional travel overview: Central Saxony.
