Rodewisch’s Castle Island offers a clear introduction to cultural attractions. The visitor complex includes a manor house, a Renaissance castle, an archaeological site and a museum. It also hosts concerts, exhibitions and summer outdoor events. You can therefore plan your stay around architectural history, archaeology or a changing cultural programme.

Museum, Park and Starry Skies

The Göltzsch Museum displays archaeological finds from the Göltzsch moated castle and material on local history. There are also temporary exhibitions. This means that finds and local history are presented alongside an exhibition section whose themes change. If a temporary exhibition is important to your plans, check the current programme in advance.

Castle Island Park offers space for walks and relaxation. A gondola ride adds to the summer leisure activities; check its seasonal availability before your visit. The park and gondola offer a different focus from the museum and exhibitions: here, the emphasis is on walking and relaxing, while the museum and exhibitions explore cultural and historical themes.

At the Sigmund Jähn Observatory and in the planetarium, telescopes and planetarium equipment give visitors views of planets and stars. This focus differs from the historical themes of Castle Island and the museum. The programmes vary, so if you have a particular visit in mind, plan around the relevant programme.

A simple comparison can help you choose what to focus on during your visit: Castle Island brings together architectural and cultural attractions, the Göltzsch Museum focuses on finds and local history, and the observatory and planetarium turn your attention to planets and stars. The park offers a place to walk and relax. Check the dates for seasonal activities and changing programmes.

The wider Vogtland destination

The wider Vogtland destination offers further cultural attractions. The Musical Instrument Museum in Markneukirchen displays the world’s largest playable violin. Musical instruments have been made in the Upper Vogtland for more than 350 years. A specific exhibit and a long regional manufacturing tradition are thus presented side by side.

The Sparkasse Vogtland Arena Klingenthal offers a different perspective: it is one of Europe’s most modern large ski jumps. An experience railway takes visitors to the 32-metre-high jump tower, which offers spectacular views across Klingenthal. In Bad Elster, the Royal Grounds combine extensive historic parks with architecture of significant cultural and historical importance. Bad Elster also has ten mineral springs and natural moorland. The Göltzsch Viaduct is one of the world’s two largest brick bridges.

There are also different factors to consider when planning a trip in the Vogtland: the Vogtland Panorama Trail is 225 kilometres long. Most cycling routes in the Vogtland are near bus or train stops; bicycles can be carried free of charge, subject to vehicle capacity. If you want to combine cycling with public transport, take into account both the location of the cycling routes and the capacity for bicycles.

A culinary speciality of the Vogtland is Grüne Klöße, made from raw, grated potatoes. Gündel’s Kulturstall in Reichenbach regularly hosts potato tastings; a potato market is held there in autumn. Check the current dates before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Rützengrün, Treuen, Adorf/Vogtland, Pöhl, Tannenbergsthal, Pausa-Mühltroff, Gottesberg, Reuth.

Go to the overview of the wider destination: Vogtland.