Remse: Monastic history in the valley

Remse lies mainly in the valley and on the slopes of the Zwickauer Mulde, combining this landscape with a clearly defined monastic history. The Red Tower, the Romanesque church opposite it, a viewpoint above the Mulde Valley, and cycling and hiking trails give the village its distinct character. You can get to know Remse through its architectural history, its views or as a stop on a tour.

A character between small-town and rural

Remse has a predominantly relaxed, small-town and rural character. Detached buildings and multi-sided farmsteads are part of this townscape. Remse can therefore be understood not only through individual historic buildings, but also through its settlement pattern. Those interested in the interplay between village and small-town influences will find another perspective on Remse here, alongside the striking evidence of its monastic history.

The Red Tower and Remse’s monastic history

Remse originated as a monastery village. The Red Tower is the only surviving building of the medieval monastery. The building probably incorporates parts of the Romanesque westwork of the former three-aisled monastery church. Directly opposite stands a single-aisled Romanesque church. The contrast between the Red Tower and the church brings Remse’s architectural history to life.

The church interior was extensively restored, and the floors were also relaid. The church was first mentioned in the mid-13th century. Around 1533, the monastery was officially dissolved during the Reformation. The monastery and its estate then passed to the Lords of Schönburg, and the complex continued to be used as their residence. The history of the village thus encompasses both the monastic period and the later use by the Schönburg family.

Visitors are welcome at Remse’s small village churches for services or special occasions. If you would like to include a church visit in your stay, you can use such an occasion as a guide when planning.

Views and trails along the Mulde

The Remse Bastion is a viewpoint above the Mulde Valley. It adds a landscape perspective to the historic buildings. Remse is also a waypoint on the Glauchau–Rochlitz section of the Mulde Cycle Route. This is an easy cycling route of about 43.5 kilometres along the Zwickauer Mulde. The Waldenburg–Glauchau stage of the Luther Trail Saxony also passes through Remse; it is marked with a green L on a white background.

When planning, the two routes differ mainly in the type of activity you prefer: you can include Remse by bike on the Mulde Cycle Route or on foot along a stage of the Luther Trail. For the cycle route, the distance and difficulty rating help with planning; for the Luther Trail, the stage locations and markings are useful. Check the current route and trail markers before setting out.

Choose accommodation to suit your stay

When looking for accommodation in Remse, you can first decide whether your stay will focus more on local history, the views, or a cycling or hiking tour. This lets you choose a location based on the activities that matter most to you.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Kirchberg, Zwickau, Werdau, Oberlungwitz, Hartenstein, Gersdorf, Lichtentanne, Limbach-Oberfrohna.

Back to the main travel overview: Zwickauer Land.