Discover Netzschkau

Netzschkau combines a wooded low mountain landscape along the Göltzsch with a remarkable railway history and cultural discoveries. The Göltzschtal Bridge, Netzschkau Castle and the surrounding trails each offer something different. When planning your trip, you can decide whether hiking, architectural history, or industry and crafts will shape your stay.

Trails along the Göltzsch

Netzschkau offers well-maintained hiking and cycling trails. You can explore the landscape along the Göltzsch on foot, offering a natural contrast to the historic buildings. If you are weighing up tours of different lengths, there are two clearly distinct options: the Vogtland Panorama Trail is a circular route of approximately 235 kilometres, which you can join at the Göltzschtal Bridge. Another route, about 8 kilometres long, connects Netzschkau, the Göltzschtal Bridge and Greiz. These distances give you an indication of the route lengths; which tour suits your travel plans depends on whether you prefer a section of a long-distance trail or the shorter, named connection.

Bridge engineering and castle history

The Göltzschtal Bridge in Netzschkau is the largest brick bridge in the world. It is 574 metres long and 78 metres high. It was built between 1846 and 1851 to create a railway connection between Leipzig and Nuremberg. Its scale and history make it a special destination for anyone interested in historic engineering structures.

Netzschkau Castle offers a glimpse of another era: built around 1490, it is one of the first aristocratic residential castles in Saxony. It is open to visitors during the warmer months. Concerts, exhibitions and events are also held at the castle. If you would like to plan your stay around a particular date, check the event schedule in advance.

Industrial history and crafts

Ketzels Mill has stood at the foot of the Göltzschtal Bridge since 1842. Visits are possible by prior telephone arrangement. The Vogtland Mining Museum covers the development of mining technology from 1945 to 1990; guided tours for school classes and groups are available by prior booking. The Nema Industrial History Exhibition explores 125 years of Nema history, an important part of Netzschkau’s industrial heritage.

Textile traditions are also represented: in Brockau, a district of Netzschkau, the Wittmann embroidery workshop produces Plauen lace using traditional and modern machines. It is also home to the world’s largest Plauen lace tablecloth. Together with the bridge, the castle and the exhibitions, this offers a varied look at the city’s architectural, industrial and craft heritage.

Explore more of the Vogtland

The wider Vogtland region also offers forests and green hills for hiking, cycling and mountain biking. The region is accessible by train via Plauen or Auerbach and by car via the A72 and A93. Most cycling routes in the Vogtland are close to a bus or train stop; bicycles can be carried free of charge on regional public transport, subject to available vehicle capacity. This regional overview may be useful when planning your trip, without equating the local options in Netzschkau with those in other parts of the Vogtland.

Choose your starting point based on the experiences that interest you most.

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