Elsterberg Castle was built shortly before 1225. The large complex covers 1.5 hectares of built-up area and is freely accessible. The Elsterberg local history museum is housed in a surviving defensive tower. The castle thus brings together the scale of an extensive ruin and a connection to the town’s history.
Hiking trails with a variety of destinations
A well-developed network of hiking trails surrounds Elsterberg and connects its smaller districts. Marked trails lead to Kriebelstein, a 407-meter-high lookout point with panoramic views, and into the Steinicht nature reserve. The Burgleite route links the river landscape of the White Elster with wooded and open countryside; it also offers panoramic views over the Elster Valley. Each destination has a different focus: at Kriebelstein, the views take center stage; at Steinicht, it is the nature reserve; and on the Burgleite, the appeal lies in the variety of landscapes.
Church and town hall tell the story of the town
A Church of St. Lawrence is documented in Elsterberg as early as 1225. The present church building was rebuilt after the town fire of 1840. The windows in the altar area date from the time of construction, while the stained-glass windows in the nave date from around 1909. The organ can also be dated: the 1848 instrument has two manuals, a pedal and 35 sounding stops, as well as around 2,000 pipes.
The town hall offers another point of historical interest. It was rebuilt in the Neo-Gothic style after a town fire and inaugurated in 1843; its hall is adorned with six stained-glass windows. Together, the church and town hall offer different starting points for a cultural and historical walk through Elsterberg.
Town center and events
The redesigned market square, town hall, rectory and surrounding residential and commercial buildings are inviting places to linger and stop for a meal. The events also have their own distinctive character: the Ruins and Local Heritage Festivals preserve Vogtland customs, traditional dress and dialect through their performances. They were held every four years. If you are planning to attend a particular edition, check its date, as individual editions and dates may change.
At the Elsterberg Knights’ Spectacle, visitors can watch demonstrations of historic crafts and try their hand at traditional handiwork. The program may vary from one edition to the next. While the festivals focus on cultural performances, this event centers on historic crafts and hands-on activities.
Water fun at the forest swimming pool
Elsterberg’s forest swimming pool has a 25-meter swimming pool and a non-swimmer area with a large water slide. There is also a separate solar-heated paddling pool for children. Other features include a waterfall, a bubbling fountain, massage jets and a floor bubbler. The different pools and water features offer a variety of ways to enjoy a day of swimming. Seasonal opening arrangements may change; check the latest operating information before your visit.
More things to explore in the Vogtland
The Vogtland offers other distinctive cultural and landscape attractions. The Göltzsch Viaduct is one of the two largest brick bridges in the world. The Markneukirchen Musical Instrument Museum displays the world’s largest playable violin. At 225 kilometers long, the Vogtland Panorama Trail is a regional long-distance route on a different scale from the hiking destinations around Elsterberg.
Discover more destinations: Neustadt/Vogtland, Steinberg, Lengenfeld, Morgenröthe, Reuth, Muldenhammer, Zwota, Falkenstein/Vogtland
View the main travel overview: Vogtland.
