Industrial culture

In 1867 the railway brought new opportunities to Weißwasser. Under Count von Arnim's leadership, brown coal mining in the Muskau fold experienced a boom. The forest railway connected the companies efficiently.

Experience this history up close with a ride on the Muskau Forest Railway. Discover the landscape and immerse yourself in the industrial past.

Discover the fascinating history of the Muskau Fold Arch! Here in Lusatia, sand, gravel, clay and, above all, brown coal were brought to the surface in a small area in the 19th century due to glacial-tectonic deformations. Mining, initially underground and later in opencast mines, shaped the landscape for decades. Today, more than 300 brightly colored mining lakes invite you to explore and offer a unique insight into this industrial era.

Discover and experience architectural innovation and historical significance in the Konrad Wachsmann House in Niesky. This wooden house, built in 1927 based on a design by Konrad Wachsmann, is an outstanding example of industrialized wooden house construction. After extensive restoration work, it was reopened in 2014 with the permanent exhibition “Modern Wooden Buildings,” which highlights the development of industrial wooden house construction.

Discover the groundbreaking ideas from 1927 at Christoph & Unmack in Niesky: Inexpensive, durable, thermally insulating, practical, modern - this advertisement marked a turning point in prefabricated house construction. Today, visit the carefully restored director's residence, designed by Konrad Wachsmann in the Bauhaus style, and explore other model homes that bear witness to an innovative era in wooden construction. Immerse yourself in the history of this groundbreaking architecture!

Discover the fascinating history of Weißwasser, once the center of globally important glass production. Visit the glass museum in Edmund Gelsdorf's historic villa, where an impressive collection of glass products and tools awaits you. Immerse yourself in the world of Wilhelm Wagenfeld, a pioneer of glass design who left his mark here. Experience the exciting connections between the industrial development of Weißwasser and the rich raw material history of the Muskau fold on a guided tour.

Discover the Königshainer Berge Granite Mining Museum, a fascinating piece of Saxon industrial culture! Surrounded by beautiful countryside, the museum shows the history and hard work of the stone workers. Experience the journey of granite from quarrying to processing in the historic buildings. Marvel at geological features and impressive machines. Visit us and immerse yourself in the world of granite mining, where nature and technology meet. The museum is part of the Industrial Heritage Route in Saxony.

Discover and experience the development from crafts to industry in seven buildings and outdoor areas in the Muskau fold area. Almost 4,000 exhibits await you here, from steam engines to dollhouses. Visit the sawmill, site of a board mill mentioned in the 16th century, and see woodworking machines in operation. The ceramic collection includes vessels from 350 years ago, 1000 liter stoneware containers from the industrial age and current products from regional potters, roofing and wall tiles.

The technical monument “Bucket Wheel Excavator 1452” awaits you at Berzdorfer See near Görlitz. This impressive contemporary witness of the former Berzdorf brown coal mine until 1997 can now be explored by visitors independently or on expertly guided tours. The almost 2,000-ton giant is looked after by the Association of Contemporary Mining Witnesses Berzdorf OL eV. There are other exhibition exhibits on the site, such as an electric locomotive and drainage technology, which offer insights into mining history. Look forward to an exciting tour of discovery!

In the small, originally rebuilt house with its courtyard and garden you can gain an insight into the life of the so-called “farmers” around 1900. In addition to their work in the factory, in trade and commerce, the residents of Reichenbach ran modest farming as a sideline to secure their livelihood. Every inner-city property also had a small field in front of the city. The reconstructed interior of the house reflects the small-town way of life.

Discover fascinating aircraft from the second half of the last century in the Rothenburg Aviation Technology Museum! Immerse yourself in the world of aviation and experience various models up close, including several MiGs, a Sukhoj Su-22, Czech jet trainers and Bundeswehr aircraft such as the F-104 Starfighter and an OV-10 “Bronco”.