Aue: Mining History, Art Nouveau and Wildlife
Accommodation in Aue
If you are considering Aue as a base for your stay, you can first assess the town according to the themes of your day’s activities: mining history and the town museum, church architecture, wildlife or sporting activities. The attractions differ considerably in what they offer, giving you various ways to weigh your interests before comparing hotels for your stay.
Mining, the Museum and Kaolin
The mining trail on Heidelsberg uses display and information boards as well as historic mining objects to share insights into mining from the 17th to the 19th century. More than 200 mines once extracted tin ore on Heidelsberg. Walking the trail is considered an impressive experience of nature. The route thus combines historic traces of mining with time spent in the countryside.
The trail begins at the town museum and leads to the Huthaus of the Weiße Erdenzeche St. Andreas. The town museum presents local history and the area’s historic mining in a reconstructed 17th-century Huthaus, situated in the middle of a former miners’ settlement. The museum can be reached on foot from the town center in a few minutes, heading towards St. Nicolaikirche and the Eichert residential area.
Kaolin is also part of Aue’s industrial history: the particularly pure clay from Aue formed the basis for J. F. Böttger’s first production of white porcelain in Europe. The town’s history therefore extends beyond tin mining to another aspect of the history of raw materials and craftsmanship.
Friedenskirche and the Townscape
The Friedenskirche Aue-Zelle was designed and built according to plans by Dresden building councilors Schilling & Gräbner. It is considered an outstanding example of Art Nouveau in church architecture. It was consecrated on Laetare Sunday, March 22, 1914. The exact date and its architectural classification offer two distinct ways to explore the church: its history and its design.
You can also discover architecture while taking a walk through Aue. Explore its many bridges and the facades of old townhouses in the GrĂĽnderzeit and Art Nouveau styles. The townscape thus complements the Friedenskirche with further examples of these architectural styles.
Wildlife and Nature Activities
The Zoo of Minis in Aue specializes in miniature and dwarf animals and is described as the only zoo of its kind in the world. The zoo also has a playground. So, alongside its special focus on small animal species, you can also enjoy other features of the grounds.
The miniUNI at the Zoo of Minis offers seminars, workshops and opportunities to meet under the motto “On the Trail of Nature.” During miniUNI activities, you can observe small or large animals, look for tracks and gather herbs under the guidance of trained specialists. The activities combine observing nature with practical tasks; which ones interest you depends on whether you would like to focus on animals, tracks or plants.
Ice Rink and Swimming Pool
Aue offers two different options for sporting activities. Icehouse Aue is located in the former workshop of the Wismut mining equipment company BBA. It has an ice rink measuring about 22 Ă— 56 meters, used for recreational skating and endurance sports. The Aue swimming pool in the Aue district is a sports pool where visitors can swim laps. If you plan to include either facility in your itinerary, check the current opening hours in advance.
Getting Around the Wider Aue-Bad Schlema Area
The wider Aue-Bad Schlema area is relevant for regional travel planning: it can be reached by regional train via Zwickau or Chemnitz. Bus services connect key attractions within the region. By car, the region is accessible via the B93, B101 or B169.
Discover more destinations: Blauenthal, Hohndorf, Bockau, Eibenstock, Schönheide, Crottendorf, Gelenau, Heidersdorf
Go to the broader travel overview: Erzgebirgskreis.
