Home of the lights
Warmth. Contemplation. Togetherness.
The Erzgebirge is the birthplace of German Christmas traditions. Associated customs are rooted deep in our mining history. The miners' lives were played out to a large extent underground, in the dark. It was their longing for the light which still draws us to the warm glow of Schwibbögen (decorative arched candle holders) and candles in windows.
Today the houses are still lovingly decorated at Christmastime, and people invite their friends round to be together and tell each other stories. The old "Hutzenobnd" (Hutzenabend, an evening spent with friends), is now also extended to visitors. Togetherness is very important to residents of the Erzgebirge. For this reason they come together every year in most towns and villages in order to celebrate the setting in motion of the revolving Christmas pyramids; these pyramids are taller than a man and stand in the town or village centre or in the middle of the Christmas market.
A steady hand and a cool head
The chisel moves steadily and in a straight line over a simple lime wood pole, from bottom to top. In the process, a delicate sliver of wood rolls itself into a small curl. The tool repeats the action over and over, producing curl after curl. And then again next to that, and all the way around the wooden pole. This technique of chiselling slivers of wood is called Reifendrehen (literally, turning tyre) and involves cutting figures out of a wooden ring, a type of craftsmanship which only exists in the Erzgebirge and for which much patience and a steady hand is required. When the people of the Erzgebirge developed these and other techniques for working wood long ago, they had no idea that their folk art would one day be known worldwide. The "Erzgebirgische Holzkunst" (Erzgebirge wood art) seal today provides international protection for the elaborately worked pieces from the Erzgebirge.
With your own eyes
The crafts of the Erzgebirge have been carried out over generations, and the woodworkers, clockmakers, passementerie makers and lace makers are continually improving on their art. They decorate their work with elaborate details and exclusive designs. To see this yourself, it is best to visit one of the exhibition workshops or the toy-making region around Seiffen and Olbernhau. Moreover, Seiffen is now the only place in the world where wooden toy makers can still learn their craft.
Places to see in the district
Among others, the toy-making town of Seiffen with its toy museum and open-air museum, and the Saigerhütte complex in Olbernhau
Folk and wood art:
Manufaktur der Träume (The Dream Factory) in Annaberg-Buchholz, the museum for mining folk art in Schneeberg
Events:
Traditional Craft Day, on the 3rd Sunday in October
Christmas markets with miners' parades:
Annaberg-Buchholz, Aue, Marienberg, Olbernhau, Schneeberg, Schwarzenberg, Seiffen and many more