Chemnitz – a visit should reveal the many facets of the city, according to the slogan of the advertising for the journey to the city on the occasion of the "European Capital of Culture 2025" event.

So, let's go, because the journey isn't that far.

Chemnitz - "C the Unseen – Seeing What Lies Hidden"

Chemnitz 2025 is (according to the advertising by Chemnitz Marketing) more than just a title. It's an invitation: "To the people of the region and from across Europe, to explore the undiscovered. This year, Chemnitz, together with 38 municipalities of the Capital of Culture region in the heart of Europe, will become a place of life where art, culture, and community can be experienced. Our program book provides insights into the 223 projects designed by the people of the surrounding area and their international guests. Be inspired by over 1,000 events, explore the PURPLE PATH, or get creative yourself in the MAKERHUBS. Together, 2025 will be a year that connects and moves us."

Welcome to Chemnitz 2025 – a year full of discoveries and encounters!

So we were curious to see what awaits us.

Chemnitz – a little background information for those who don't know it yet

Chemnitz is the headquarters of the State Office of Saxony and part of the Central Germany Metropolitan Region. On October 28, 2020, the city was selected as the European Capital of Culture 2025. The opening celebrations took place on January 18, 2025.

With the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, strong population growth began; after the founding of the German Empire in 1871, Chemnitz developed into an important industrial city. During the period of high industrialization in the German Empire, Chemnitz became a major city in 1882.

The population reached its historic peak of over 361,000 in the early 1930s. During World War II, 80% of the city centre was destroyed in the air raids on Chemnitz in February and March 1945.

By decision of the Central Committee of the SED and the government of the GDR, Chemnitz was renamed Karl-Marx-Stadt on May 10, 1953.

With over 200 years of industrial history, the city is a technology centre with key sectors in the automotive and supplier industries, information technology, and mechanical and plant engineering. Over 50% of the city consists of buildings dating from before 1950, and there are numerous monuments of industrial heritage. Due to the smoke and pollution generated during industrialization, Chemnitz was nicknamed the Saxon Manchester.

The city, located in the foothills of the Ore Mountains, boasts numerous recreational facilities and museums, including the Chemnitz Art Collections and the Chemnitz State Museum of Archaeology.

The "Nischel" from Karl-Marx-Stadt – a "cultural monument" to this day

The city's most famous landmark is the Karl Marx Monument by Soviet sculptor Lev Kerbel, inaugurated in 1971. It served as the backdrop for parades and other mass events during GDR holidays. Concerts, festivals, and demonstrations still frequently take place in front of the monument. During the GDR era, the building behind it at Karl-Marx-Allee 10/12 (now Brückenstraße) served as the headquarters of the district council and the SED district leadership. At house number 10, a monumental plaque bearing the phrase "Workers of all countries, unite!" from the Communist Manifesto is embedded in German, English, French, and Russian. Chemnitz locals also call the monument "Nischel" (a Saxon dialect for head). It is the second-largest freestanding sculpted head in the world after the Egyptian Sphinx and the second-largest portrait bust in the world after the head of Lenin in Ulan-Ude, Russia. The sculpture rests on a pedestal clad in Ukrainian "Korninsky granite" (a gneiss). We also encountered numerous tourists from all over the world who came to take a selfie or a photo.

Chemnitz - Schloßberg Museum and Rabenstein Castle

The Schloßberg Museum Chemnitz is housed in one of the most beautiful and best-preserved monastery complexes in Saxony. Around 1135, Emperor Lothar had a Benedictine monastery built on a ridge above the Chemnitz River, which existed until the years of the Reformation. Its preserved building structure dates from various construction phases: the Romanesque south apse belongs to the original building (around 1150), the early Gothic east wing to the oldest stone monastery building (1275), and the south wing and the church to the late Gothic construction phase under the last two abbots, Heinrich von Schleinitz and Hilarius von Rehburg (1483–1539).

The Chemnitz Museum of City History houses the extensive collections on Chemnitz's city history. The finest pieces of paintings and sculptures, historical textiles, jewellery, furniture, and everyday objects from the 12th to 20th centuries are on display in the permanent exhibition "Chemnitz History Picture Gallery."

The Schloßberg Museum also includes Saxony's smallest castle, Rabenstein Castle.

So much for a few tourist highlights, but they have little to do with the special events on the occasion of our trip to the European Capital of Culture 2025. That would quickly change during our visit to the Chemnitz Industrial Museum.

By far the most frequently uttered phrase from visitors here was: "We didn't expect to see this in Chemnitz; you have to see it."

So stay tuned!

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