Discover Erlau: churches, music and mill culture
Accommodation in Erlau
Erlau combines church art and music with a location in the Erzgebirge foothills near the Kriebstein Reservoir. There are various themes to consider when planning your trip: historic furnishings, concerts, regional cuisine, or natural and cultural landmarks. If you are travelling together, you can use these themes to decide what you want your trip to focus on. Two stations on the Chemnitz–Riesa railway line give Erlau long-distance rail connections and help you choose where to stay.
Church art and music
The main structure of St. Laurentius Church in Erlau dates predominantly from around 1500. The large winged altar is from approximately the same period. Its carved, painted and partly gilded figures stand alongside twelve painted panels. Together, they give the altar its distinctive appearance and provide a tangible point of interest for anyone interested in historic church art.
The Evangelical Lutheran church in Schweikershain also has its own musical character: it was built between 1719 and 1721, and concerts are often held there. The Silbermann organ attracts virtuoso organists and other musicians from near and far. Here, architectural history and contemporary music come together. In Crossen Church, meanwhile, the baptismal font is made of Rochlitz porphyry—a distinctive material detail in the region’s church landscape.
St. Leonhard’s Chapel near Naundorf was first mentioned in a document in 1501. After extensive restoration, it was consecrated in 2010. The two dates tell different chapters: 1501 marks the first documented mention, while 2010 marks the consecration following restoration. Those exploring churches and their history will therefore find a timeline here stretching from the chapel’s earliest mention to its renewal.
Village character, places to meet and regional cuisine
The former Erlau railway station building, which is 120 years old, shapes the village’s appearance and is part of a protected architectural ensemble. The Generationsbahnhof is used by Erlau residents and visitors; events take place in its community area. These two railway station sites show different sides of Erlau: the former building shapes the village’s appearance, while the Generationsbahnhof is described as an active meeting place and event venue.
For a taste of the region, Landgasthof Crossen is known beyond Erlau for its fish dishes. It also has a beer garden and a bowling alley.
Landscape and mill architecture
Erlau’s Steinberg is one of the municipality’s designated natural monuments. Mill architecture is also a distinctive part of the region’s culture: the Obstmühle mill complex is a listed cultural monument and represents typical Saxon mill architecture. Obstmühle itself is a settlement in the Erlbach valley and belongs to Erlau. These different features—a natural monument, a mill complex and a settlement—offer different perspectives on the area and its surroundings.
In the wider travel destination of Central Saxony, Rochlitzer Berg broadens the geological perspective. The 353-metre-high mountain is a remnant of volcanic activity; its red porphyry tuff is described as unique in Germany and Europe.
When looking for accommodation in Erlau, you can first consider whether church art and music, regional cuisine, or landscape and architectural heritage matter most to your trip. This lets you choose where to stay based on the experiences you want to focus on.
Discover more destinations: HalsbrĂĽcke, Striegistal, Eppendorf, Oederan, GroĂźschirma, Rechenberg-BienenmĂĽhle, Lunzenau, Rochlitz.
Go to the main travel overview: Central Saxony.
