Hutzentage, Knochenstampfe and Hermann Löscher
· Organiser: Ostsächsische Eisenbahnfreunde e.V. (association of East Saxon train enthusiasts), Löbau · Upper Lusatia
Description
An Advent excursion to the mining town of Zwönitz
The Erzgebirge mining region rightly bears the title of World Cultural Heritage. Mining brought prosperity to the people of this region, but also hardship, which we now regard as part of our cultural heritage.
The town's name, meaning something like “by the roaring brook”, suggests early settlement of the region by Slavic Sorbs. The first German settlements are documented for the 12th century. Zwönitz received its town charter around 1300.
Hermann Löscher, a son of the town, became known for his research into the settlement history and customs of the Erzgebirge. In Dorfchemnitz, a district of Zwönitz, the only publicly accessible bone stamping mill in the entire Erzgebirge region has survived. The water power of the Zwönitz river drove the stamping mill. The crushed animal bones were used as fertiliser in agriculture or as a raw material for making soap. Unfortunately, this museum is closed until further notice due to renovation and conversion work.
In Niederzwönitz, the paper mill, first documented as early as the 16th century, has been open as a technical monument and museum since 1984. With its machinery driven by water power and historic electric motors, it is today considered the oldest working paper mill in Germany.
In Advent, when the day's work is done, the people of the Erzgebirge go to a “Hutzenohmd”, a cosy get-together with friends and neighbours. So let us sit together at the Zwönitzer Hutzentage, the mining town's traditional Christmas market.
As usual, the Advent special train of the Ostsächsische Eisenbahnfreunde starts in Löbau. It stops for boarding in Bautzen, Bischofswerda, Großharthau, Radeberg and Dresden-Neustadt. After conquering the Tharandt incline, our steam locomotive will have done some demanding work and will leave us in Niederwiesa for a “rest”.
From here a diesel locomotive takes over our train and brings us through the Zwönitz valley to the mining town of the same name. The scale of the railway facilities shows the town's importance in transport history. Here the line from Scheibenberg to Stollberg crossed the Chemnitz–Aue line, which today is part of the local transport network around Chemnitz served by TramTrain services.
As usual, we will put together a varied leisure programme for you on site, which is currently still being prepared
The Erzgebirge mining region rightly bears the title of World Cultural Heritage. Mining brought prosperity to the people of this region, but also hardship, which we now regard as part of our cultural heritage.
The town's name, meaning something like “by the roaring brook”, suggests early settlement of the region by Slavic Sorbs. The first German settlements are documented for the 12th century. Zwönitz received its town charter around 1300.
Hermann Löscher, a son of the town, became known for his research into the settlement history and customs of the Erzgebirge. In Dorfchemnitz, a district of Zwönitz, the only publicly accessible bone stamping mill in the entire Erzgebirge region has survived. The water power of the Zwönitz river drove the stamping mill. The crushed animal bones were used as fertiliser in agriculture or as a raw material for making soap. Unfortunately, this museum is closed until further notice due to renovation and conversion work.
In Niederzwönitz, the paper mill, first documented as early as the 16th century, has been open as a technical monument and museum since 1984. With its machinery driven by water power and historic electric motors, it is today considered the oldest working paper mill in Germany.
In Advent, when the day's work is done, the people of the Erzgebirge go to a “Hutzenohmd”, a cosy get-together with friends and neighbours. So let us sit together at the Zwönitzer Hutzentage, the mining town's traditional Christmas market.
As usual, the Advent special train of the Ostsächsische Eisenbahnfreunde starts in Löbau. It stops for boarding in Bautzen, Bischofswerda, Großharthau, Radeberg and Dresden-Neustadt. After conquering the Tharandt incline, our steam locomotive will have done some demanding work and will leave us in Niederwiesa for a “rest”.
From here a diesel locomotive takes over our train and brings us through the Zwönitz valley to the mining town of the same name. The scale of the railway facilities shows the town's importance in transport history. Here the line from Scheibenberg to Stollberg crossed the Chemnitz–Aue line, which today is part of the local transport network around Chemnitz served by TramTrain services.
As usual, we will put together a varied leisure programme for you on site, which is currently still being prepared
Location
Included
- Seat reservation
- Tour guide
- Special train to Zwönitz
Timetable
The trip is still being planned.
| Departure Löbau | ||
| Stations Bautzen, Bischofswerda, Großharthau, Radeberg and Dresden-Neustadt | ||
| Arrival Zwönitz |
Fares
| Adults | Children (4–16 years) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st class dining car (sold out) | 130,00 € | 105,00 € |
| 2nd class open-plan coach (sold out) | 110,00 € | 80,00 € |
| 2nd class coach compartment |
110,00 € | 80,00 € |