Netzschkau: Göltzsch Viaduct and Castle

Netzschkau between nature and history

Netzschkau combines nature trails with a distinctive architectural and industrial history. You can explore a wooded low mountain landscape on foot along the Göltzsch. The Göltzsch Viaduct and Netzschkau Castle add an architectural highlight, while the history of mills and industry is reflected in topics such as Ketzels Mühle, mining, Nema, and Plauen lace. This offers a choice of nature, a significant structure, and a range of historical themes. These highlights can help guide your travel plans: would you mainly like to spend time outdoors, or are you particularly interested in buildings and regional history?

Hiking and cycling trails

Netzschkau has well-developed hiking and cycling trails. The Vogtland Panorama Weg is a circular route of around 235 kilometers, with access possible at the Göltzsch Viaduct. This should be distinguished from a route of about eight kilometers connecting Netzschkau, the Göltzsch Viaduct, and Greiz. The two distances refer to different scales: one is a long circular route, the other a shorter route between three named places. Together with the wooded landscape along the Göltzsch, they offer options for both hiking and cycling. The approximate distances will help you factor the different options into your plans without treating the two routes as the same.

The Göltzsch Viaduct

The Göltzsch Viaduct in Netzschkau is the world’s largest brick bridge. It is 574 meters long and 78 meters high. It was built from 1846 to 1851 to create a railway connection between Leipzig and Nuremberg. Two aspects of this structure stand side by side: its impressive dimensions and the specific purpose for which it was built. Its construction period also places the bridge in the history of the planned railway connection. Anyone interested in the history of technology and architecture will find a special focus of Netzschkau’s local history here.

Castle, mill, and industrial history

Netzschkau Castle was built around 1490 as one of the first aristocratic manor houses in Saxony. It can be visited during the warmer months. Concerts, exhibitions, and events are also held at the castle; if you would like to plan around a specific event, it is best to check its dates in advance. Ketzels Mühle has different visiting arrangements: it has stood at the foot of the Göltzsch Viaduct since 1842 and can be visited by prior telephone appointment.

The Vogtland Mining Museum presents the development of mining technology from 1945 to 1990. Guided tours for school classes and groups are available by prior booking. The Nema Industrial History Exhibition is dedicated to 125 years of Nema history, an important part of Netzschkau’s industrial heritage. In the district of Brockau, the Wittmann embroidery company produces Plauen lace using traditional and modern machines. The world’s largest Plauen lace tablecloth is also on display there. The topics range from the history of an aristocratic manor house to mining, industry, and textile crafts.

The wider Vogtland travel destination

The wider Vogtland travel destination also offers its own framework for planning: its forests and green hills invite you to go hiking, cycling, and mountain biking. The region can be reached by train via Plauen or Auerbach, and by car via the A72 and A93. This regional perspective complements the trails and cultural themes that Netzschkau itself has to offer.

Discover more destinations: Oberheinsdorf, Falkenstein/Vogtland, Tirpersdorf, Syrau, Gottesberg, Neustadt/Vogtland, Mehltheuer, Adorf/Vogtland.

View the wider travel overview: Vogtland.