Seiffen

In 1324, the former "Cynsifen" - today's municipality of Seiffen/Erzgebirge with just under 2,000 inhabitants - was first mentioned in a document. Its origins go back to tin mining, initially from the Seiffenbach stream, later also from solid rock. Situated almost on the crest of the Ore Mountains and not far from the Czech border, Seiffen has been a spa town and state-recognised resort since 1956. Skilled craftsmanship and a passion for working with wood have characterised Seiffen in an impressive way since the 16th century: As the village grew, but not everyone found work in mining, they turned to woodworking. Initially, bowls and shovels were made, later other everyday objects such as plates, buttons and spindles, and from 1760 "Seiffen goods" were traded at trade fairs in Nuremberg and Leipzig - including the first toys. in 1810, the craft expands to include hoop turning - from then on, the famous Seiffen wooden figures are produced en masse using this process.

Today, Seiffen is regarded as the centre of Erzgebirge wood art and a toy village. You can watch wooden toys being made in several factories or buy them directly from the producers. The Seiffen church is architecturally attractive with its octagonal floor plan, which is unusual for village churches. In the Erzgebirge Open-Air Museum, you can explore the historic water-powered lathes, which were initially used to power the mining industry and later for wood-turning machines. The model railway exhibition at Erlebniswelt Seiffen also hosts workshops and seminars. And from the Seiffen and Neuhausen ski areas, cross-country ski trails lead all the way to the Czech Ore Mountains.