Mittweida: Space Travel, Old Town and the Zschopau Valley

Mittweida draws your attention to outer space, industrial technology, the historic old town and a narrow river valley. Its attractions range from the space travel museum to hiking and cycling trails in the Mittweida section of the Zschopau Valley. You can tailor your stay to cultural, technological or outdoor interests. If you’re travelling with people who have different interests, you can vary the focus without having to follow a set itinerary.

Space Travel and the History of Technology

The space travel museum in Mittweida displays 100 models of rockets, shuttles and spacecraft, including the International Space Station. It also features a gallery of real spacesuits and exhibits on space travel in the former GDR. Visits are possible by prior arrangement only. During a tour arranged in advance, you can hold an object or try an original tool. The Mittweida hydroelectric power station offers a different technical focus: its original machinery has been preserved and remains operational. As a technical monument, it is connected with the early history of energy generation. The water tower displays historic water management equipment; from the top, you can look out over Mittweida and the surrounding area. Find out in advance about the arrangements for visiting the tower.

Old Town and Notable Places

You can explore the historic old town on guided walks. Notable places include the Church of Our Lady (“Unser lieben Frauen”), the Johannes Schilling House, the Erich Loest exhibition, Rochlitzer Straße, Technikumplatz and the Swan Pond gardens. Visiting the church, including its tower, is another option. Guided tours for visitors range from city walks to excursions into the Saxon countryside. Contact the Tourist Information Office for details of available dates and tours.

The Zschopau Valley and Outdoor Activities

The Mittweida section of the Zschopau Valley is a narrow river valley with narrow banks, wooded slopes and rock formations. The area has been protected since 1996. The two routes through the valley follow different courses: the Zschopau Valley Hiking Trail follows a former railway line, while the Zschopau Valley Cycle Route also runs through the valley. The Mittweida MTB Park is open to the public and designed for beginner mountain bikers; check local conditions before travelling. The Kriebstein Reservoir protected landscape stretches along the Zschopau from Kockisch, a district of Mittweida, to Kriebstein. The reservoir area offers good conditions for hiking and water sports.

Getting There and Finding Your Way

Mittweida has a direct rail connection to Chemnitz. As timetables can change, check current connections before your trip. From the station, city buses run to the town hall or the central bus station; it’s also worth checking the latest timetable for these services. The central bus station is less than a five-minute walk from the market square, town hall and Tourist Information Office. This information can help you plan your explorations, but it doesn’t replace checking the specific arrangements for tours and visits. You can plan city walks, a museum visit by prior arrangement and time in the valley around your interests.

More to Explore in Central Saxony

The wider destination of Central Saxony offers its own range of regional attractions. Rochlitzer Berg, at 353 metres, is a remnant of volcanic activity; its red porphyry tuff is said to be unique in Germany and Europe. Rochsburg Castle has housed a museum since 1911. Its “People Make Clothes” exhibition features 52 costumes spanning 1,000 years of European fashion history. Also in Central Saxony, the terra mineralia exhibition at Freudenstein Castle presents more than 3,500 minerals, gemstones and meteorites. The Central Saxony Cultural Summer is an annual three-month summer festival featuring more than 40 events across Central Saxony; individual programmes vary.

Discover more destinations: Frankenstein, Hainichen, Reinsberg, Hartmannsdorf, Hilbersdorf, Oberschöna, Augustusburg, Döbeln.

Back to the wider travel overview: Central Saxony.