Explore Großschirma through its buildings, mining history and railway heritage. When planning your visit, it is worth distinguishing between viewing a site from the outside, a visit that must be arranged by phone and an exhibition with current opening arrangements. Walks and hiking trails offer another way to explore the area.
Buildings, Mining and Everyday Life
The Siebenlehn water tower is 42 metres high and was built in 1912 to supply the local area with drinking water. Both its height and its original purpose are central to this landmark: it served as a drinking water supply facility. Visits can be arranged by phone. As visiting arrangements may change, please confirm that a visit is possible before travelling.
Großschirma Church adds sacred architecture to this technical perspective. A nave and a chancel with a ribbed star vault were added between 1490 and 1503. The building history can thus be read through two clearly dated examples: the additions to the church around 1500 and the construction of the water tower in 1912.
The “Alte-Hoffnung-Gottes-Erbstollen Kleinvoigtsberg” mining facilities can be viewed from the outside during a walk through Kleinvoigtsberg. This exterior view differs from the visit to the water tower, which must be arranged by phone, and offers another way to include mining history in your exploration.
The Obergruna local history room is housed in the barn of a former vicarage. It displays household and agricultural items from earlier times. The collection draws attention to past areas of everyday life and work, complementing the buildings and mining facilities with a different perspective. Demonstrations include threshing grain, making brooms, churning butter and spinning sheep’s wool. Availability may vary, so please check before travelling to find out which demonstrations are taking place.
Railway Heritage and Exhibition
The Großvoigtsberg Museum Railway Station offers a distinct focus. The station building dates from 1873. An exhibition open to visitors is devoted to railway history around Nossen; railway signalling equipment is also on display. Visits are subject to the venue’s current opening arrangements. The building, exhibition and signalling equipment thus offer several ways to explore the subject of railways.
In contrast to the local history room, whose collection includes household and agricultural items, the museum railway station focuses on trains and signals. If you are interested in several aspects of regional history, the two venues therefore differ not only in their buildings but also in their subject matter.
Walks and Hiking Trails
Outdoor activities are also part of what Großschirma has to offer. West of Siebenlehn, Zellwald and the Aschbachtal nature reserve are destinations for walks and relaxation. Hiking also includes walking along the Freiberger Mulde. Alongside buildings and collections, trails and places to relax therefore appeal to different interests.
The Johanniterweg connects the Saxon Way of St James with the start of the Luther Trail. It is approximately 30 kilometres long and can be hiked in two sections. Its approximate total length and the option to divide it into sections offer two different planning considerations: you can think of the route as a whole or take its sections into account.
For orientation, federal highway B 101 runs through Großschirma and connects Nossen with Freiberg. Großschirma is therefore part of the road link between the two towns. Together with the area’s varied architectural, mining, museum and hiking attractions, this connection provides a practical reference point for further travel planning.
Discover more destinations: Burgstädt, Niederwiesa, Großhartmannsdorf, Oberschöna, Striegistal, Freiberg, Mittweida, Brand-Erbisdorf.
For the overview of the wider region: Mittelsachsen.
