Admire the old houses, churches and public buildings of the former Audi town and learn more about Germany's car industry.
Zwickau is a small city in Eastern Germany, which has been of great importance to the car industry, and which now draws in visitors with the many charming buildings of its Old Town.
During the 15th and 16th centuries, Zwickau was an economic and cultural centre that attracted many artists and influential tradesmen who established their workshops and markets here. In the 19th century, the coal industry began to develop in Zwickau and, later on, the first Horch and Audi factories were set up in the city. Today the city is one of the most beautiful travel destinations in the area, with interesting museums and historical attractions on offer.
You can take a good look at colourful old buildings from various eras at the city's impressive Hauptmarkt. Some houses on the Marktplatz sport elaborate façades, while other buildings are marked out on account of their triangular roofs and small windows. It is here too that you will find the city's Rathaus (City Hall) and Gewandhaus (Cloth Hall), built in the 15th and 16th centuries respectively. Over the years, both buildings have been destroyed and rebuilt on numerous occasions. The current façade of the Rathaus dates from the 19th century and the Gewandhaus is now used as a theatre.
One of the city's most beautiful churches is the Protestant Dom St. Marien, a 15th-century cathedral that you should on no account pass by while on your city trip. The cathedral's tower stands 87 metres high and inside the church you will find centuries-old wood carvings and paintings. Further churches of note are the St. Katharinenkirche and the Matthäuskirche. On the way to the Priesterhäuser Museum you can visit a range of buildings from the 13th century.
While on their travels, classical music lovers should stop by the birthplace of the famous composer, Robert Schumann. The house is home to a museum dedicated to Schumann's life's work. If you like cars, a detour to the August Horch Museum is recommended, where you can learn all about the history of Zwickau's car industry. Here there are dozens of cars and exhibition pieces to take a look at and tours of the museum are also on offer. There is also an art gallery to visit in the city, alongside many small pubs and restaurants.
Zwickau is home to architecturally breathtaking buildings and looks back over an exciting history. Let yourself delight in the city's idyllic streets, medieval atmosphere and fascinating museums.
