Halsbrücke: Discover mining history and trails

Halsbrücke tells the story of its mining history through water engineering, ore processing and technical landmarks. At the same time, trails pass through landscapes bearing traces of silver mining. This lets you experience industrial heritage and natural landscapes as different aspects of a stay.

Ore processing, water engineering and technical landmarks

At the mining canal in Halsbrücke stands a 12-metre-high boat lift house, built in 1785 and considered Europe’s first ship lift. An early record of smelting operations is the smelting works documented at the historic smelter site in 1612. From 1791 to 1857, an amalgamation plant was used to process silver ore. The operation was also associated with a technical innovation: in 1815, the Halsbrücke amalgamation works were equipped with Europe’s first gas lighting.

Other industrial landmarks include the 140-metre-high Hohe Esse, the Altväterbrücke and the Rothschönberger Stolln, with its numerous light shafts and spoil heaps. The above-ground facilities at the VII. Lichtloch can be visited on special occasions. If you plan a visit, check the details for the relevant event.

Mining history in the landscape and along waterways

The Rote Graben was artificially created in 1612/13 to channel water for mining in Halsbrücke. The connection between water management and mining can also be traced along an 8.7-kilometre circular trail. It is rated as moderately difficult and follows the Freiberger Mulde. Its stops include the Altväterbrücke, the Erzkanal, the Halsbrücker Rösche, the Rote Graben, and the 7th and 8th light shafts of the Rothschönberger Stolln.

The Grabentour offers a different perspective: it passes through the Bobritzsch conservation area and affords views of historic silver-mining landmarks. The Niederschöna strata are also part of the area’s geological history. They are associated with sandstone quarries that have been worked for more than 800 years, as well as fossils of Cretaceous plants and marine animals. This extends the interest beyond visible structures to the geological past. The sandstone quarries’ use for more than 800 years and the Cretaceous fossils represent very different timescales.

Two cycling routes, with different features

There are also specific route features to help you plan a cycling trip. The Freiberg-Halsbrücke cycle route includes a section on a former railway line near the former Halsbrücke railway station. The Tour de Lichtloch Süd, by contrast, runs mostly along paved roads that are generally quiet, with a few exceptions.

Churches and art as a cultural contrast

The St. Anne’s Church in Tuttendorf originated as a pilgrimage chapel and has an Oehme organ. The St. Catherine’s Church in Oberschaar houses the altarpiece “22. Christ on the Cross”, created around 1650. It once served as an object of devotion for pilgrims.

Discover Niederschöna as another destination.

Discover more destinations: Erlau, Burgstädt, Brand-Erbisdorf, Oederan, Döbeln, Niederwiesa, Rossau.

For the main travel overview: Mittelsachsen.