Located in Saxony's northern Erzgebirge foothills, this industrial center has evolved from a medieval duchy capital into a modern hub for high-tech manufacturing and metalworking.
Chemnitz, the third-largest city in Saxony, has transformed from its industrial roots into a modern cultural hub. Walk through the streets to see the 7-meter-tall Karl Marx Monument, climb the High Tower of the 15th-century Old Town Hall, or explore the Kassberg district with its preserved 19th-century buildings. You can discover Germany's industrial history at the Industrial Museum and admire over 2,400 pieces of modern art at Museum Gunzenhauser.
Exploring the City Center
The 15th-century Old Town Hall sits at the heart of the market square, with its Renaissance portal and High Tower. Climb the tower for panoramic city views. After 1990, architects like Helmut Jahn and Hans Kollhoff designed the modern buildings that now shape the city center. Local residents call the 7-meter-tall Karl Marx Monument "Nischel" - a reminder of when the city was named Karl-Marx-Stadt from 1953 to 1990.
Museums and Cultural Venues
At the Industrial Museum, you can see historic machines and vehicles that tell the story of the city's manufacturing history. The State Museum of Archaeology, located in the former Schocken Department Store, displays artifacts from Saxony's ancient past. In a converted bank building, Museum Gunzenhauser exhibits over 2,400 pieces of German art, ranging from Expressionism to post-war Modernism.
Historic Architecture in Kassberg
Walk through one of Europe's largest intact 19th-century neighborhoods in the Kassberg district. Many buildings connect underground through a network of vaulted cellars. You'll find many restaurants and pubs serving local Saxon dishes throughout the area.
Natural History and Science
Inside the DAStietz cultural center, a former department store, you can see a 290-million-year-old petrified forest in the atrium. Visit the Museum of Natural History to learn about regional geology and wildlife. The Technical University Chemnitz, which began as a royal trade school in 1836, continues to lead technological innovation in the region.
Getting Around
Travel directly to Dresden, Berlin, and Rostock-Warnemünde from Chemnitz Hauptbahnhof. Two major motorways connect the city: A4 (Erfurt–Dresden) and A72 (Hof–Leipzig). You can fly into the region through three nearby airports, including Dresden and Leipzig international airports.
European Capital of Culture 2025
In 2025, Chemnitz will celebrate as European Capital of Culture with the motto "C the Unseen." The Purple Path art trail will link the city to 38 nearby municipalities, displaying sculptures and installations by international artists. Many old factories are becoming museums and creative spaces.
