Meuselwitz combines railway history with older architectural heritage and a landscape shaped by lignite mining and since reclaimed. When choosing where to stay, it helps to distinguish between model railway and industrial history at the Culture Railway Station, a ride on the coal railway, and outdoor exploration.
Railways and mining at the Culture Railway Station
The coal railway enthusiasts’ model railway layout features an authentic replica of the Altenburg–Meuselwitz railway line. Meuselwitz railway depot has also been faithfully reproduced to a scale of 1:87. The model exhibition at the Culture Railway Station shows the reconstruction of the Meuselwitz–Altenburg railway line, with typical structures along the route and moving models illustrating lignite extraction and processing. The exhibits cover everything from railway construction and operation to the technical processes involved in lignite mining.
The technical museum at the Culture Railway Station includes a large outdoor area, technical installations, mining exhibits, documents and historic trains. Groups of visitors can see the model railway layout from April to October by prior arrangement.
The coal railway along its route
The coal railway offers a different perspective: it is a 900 mm narrow-gauge railway running along a 15-kilometre route between Meuselwitz and Regis-Breitingen. Stops are located in Wintersdorf and Haselbach; along the way, the railway crosses the state border between Thuringia and Saxony. The route begins at Meuselwitz station. According to the operator’s general information, trains run from there almost every Sunday throughout the year. Check the latest operating information before your visit.
Half-timbered buildings and orangery
The historic buildings include the half-timbered ensemble at Neugasse 1/3, a former weaver’s house dating from around 1700 and one of the oldest houses in Meuselwitz. The orangery in von Seckendorff Park was built between 1724 and 1727. Both buildings complement the industrial theme with older architecture.
Lake and reclaimed landscape
Hainberg Lake on the edge of town invites visitors to relax and enjoy sporting activities; check in advance which activities are available. The landscape around Meuselwitz was once shaped by lignite mining and has since been reclaimed. Lakes and forests can be explored on foot or by bicycle.
The wider Altenburger Land destination
The wider Altenburger Land destination offers additional cultural and landscape experiences. The Rote Spitzen are the surviving Romanesque towers of a former Augustinian Canons’ monastery and are recognised as a cultural monument of national importance. Altenburg Residential Palace stands on a porphyry rock and houses the Palace and Playing Card Museum; the Playing Card Museum is one of the oldest and most extensive museums of its kind in Europe.
The routes also offer a range of experiences: the modern long-distance Neuseen Challenge trail passes through Altenburger Land and is marked by a bright neon-yellow shoe. The PleiĂźe Cycle Route also passes through Altenburger Land. The Luther Trail runs through the destination and can be followed as a pilgrimage route.
Discover more destinations: Göllnitz, Langenleuba-Niederhain, Nobitz, Gösdorf, Burkersdorf, Heukewalde, Lucka, Lumpzig
View the wider travel overview: Altenburger Land.
