Saxony celebrates Unesco World Heritage Coal and Steel Region

World Heritage Site - Saxony celebrates Unesco World Heritage Coal and Steel Region

With a ceremony in the Freiberg Nikolaikirche, Saxony celebrates the five-year anniversary of the World Heritage designation for the cross-border Montanregion Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří. Michael Kretschmer, Minister-President of Saxony (CDU), traveled to Baku, Azerbaijan, in July 2019 for the World Heritage Committee meeting and attended the evening celebration in Freiberg as well.

The application was submitted jointly with the Czech Republic, as the Erzgebirge (Krušnohoří) spans both countries. On Tuesday, Kretschmer and his Czech counterpart Petr Fiala visited sites of the World Heritage on both sides of the border and acknowledged the work of the "World Heritage" sites.

"This World Heritage is a great fortune for which many people have worked hard in the past years. We are proud of it," said Kretschmer. What happens in the Montanregion is fun and brings something concrete and economic benefits to the people. Due to the World Heritage title, many tourists come to the Erzgebirge.

Visitor Centers Planned

Kretschmer also reminded everyone of the second Saxon World Heritage project, which also crosses the country border. The Muskauer Park/Park Mużakowski was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List as a joint Polish-German cultural heritage site in 2004. Such cooperation allows for many encounters in the World Heritage region and deepens the exchange between institutions.

"Five years of World Heritage – that's a wonderful reason to celebrate. The entire jubilee year is under this motto, and we are promoting it everywhere in the Montanregion," said Steve Ittershagen, Chief of the World Heritage Association on the German side. Later, there are plans to build six visitor centers to welcome guests to the World Heritage sites.

Tourism Association sees it as a responsibility

Four visitor centers are planned on the German side - in Annaberg-Buchholz, Freiberg, Marienberg, and Schneeberg. Marienberg plans to complete the 3.6 million euro installation, for which EU and federal funds are also flowing, in 2026. Jáchymov in the Czech Republic expects completion in 2028. Each visitor center will offer an exhibition on a different aspect of the Montanregion.

The Tourism Association Erzgebirge sees the World Heritage title not only as a quality label but also as a responsibility. "It is our duty to protect and preserve the exceptional value and uniqueness of the Montanregion long-term and ensure its transmission. World Heritage and tourism actors share equal responsibility for the preservation of our World Heritage site," the association stated. In the past five years, many measures have already been successfully implemented.

"The mountain towns, the landscape, the cultural heritage, the spirit of the people: They all tell the authentic story of this unique region in an instructive and multifaceted way. A region whose underground treasures – silver, tin, cobalt, iron, and uran – once made Saxony's rulers rich. And whose best-preserved heritage today represents a unique global treasure," the tourist promoters invited for a visit to the World Heritage sites in the Erzgebirge.

1. The Montanregion Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří, a Unesco World Heritage Site, is located in Baku, Azerbaijan.
2. During the ceremony in Freiberg Nikolaikirche, Michael Kretschmer highlighted the economic benefits brought by tourism due to the World Heritage title.
3. The Czech Republic and Saxony jointly applied for the Unesco World Heritage designation for the Erzgebirge (Krušnohoří), spanning both countries.
4. The Ore Mountains, a Unesco World Heritage Site, is a source of pride for both Saxony and the Czech Republic.
5. St. Nicholas Church in Freiberg was one of the sites visited during the World Heritage committee meeting in Baku.
6. The Tourism Association Erzgebirge views the World Heritage title as a responsibility to protect and preserve the unique heritage of the region.
7. The award-winning Marienberg visitor center in Freiberg is set to be completed with EU and federal funds by 2026.
8. Unesco has recognized the Muskauer Park/Park Mużakowski as a joint Polish-German cultural heritage site since 2004.
9. The jubilee year for the Montanregion World Heritage site is being promoted with the motto "Five years of World Heritage – a reason to celebrate."

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