Chemnitz: cultural capital of Europe
In 2025 it is the cultural hotspot of Europe
Discover the unseen and unexpected events of 2025
As European Capital of Culture 2025, Chemnitz has an extensive programme. This year's theme is "C the Unseen". This theme encourages residents and visitors to explore lesser known or unnoticed parts of the city and surrounding region. It includes not only physical places but also cultural elements such as local traditions, stories and histories.
1. Art exhibitions
The Kunstsammlungen Chemnitz (Chemnitz Art Collections) has a major exhibition of works by Norwegian painter Edvard Munch, as well as works by international artists such as Tony Cragg and James Turrell.
2. Cultural Festivals
The 'Begehungen' festival turns a former lignite mine into a gallery for contemporary art. There are also plans for a festival of democracy inspired by James Joyce's Ulysses.
3. Sport and culture
- A cross-border bike tour commemorating the Peace Ride. The Peace Ride was an amateur cycling event in Eastern Europe, similar to the Tour de France, and was last organised in 2006. In 2021, the idea has been revived with the European Peace Ride (EPR). The ride is more than just a multi-day cycling event. It promotes social inclusion and community spirit and is open to participants of all backgrounds and abilities. Fans along the route and at the finish line create an ambience similar to the Tour de France. The 2025 route will be announced in the spring.
- The cultural marathon turns the course into the world's longest stage, with performances by orchestras, choirs and DJs along the route. The event offers different distances suitable for thousands of runners and starts at the Neumarkt in Chemnitz.
4. Interactive and participatory projects
The "Purple Path" is an art route that runs through the city and surrounding area and features permanent artworks.
These activities are designed to engage both the local community and visitors from outside and to highlight the cultural richness of Chemnitz and its surroundings.
More information about the programme can be found on the Chemnitz 2025 website.
What else can you see and do in Chemnitz?
These seven sites give a good idea of both Chemnitz's cultural and industrial history.
Karl Marx Monument
One of the city's most famous landmarks is this huge statue of Karl Marx. Chemnitz was once known as Karl-Marx-Stadt.
Address: Brückenstraße 10
Saxon Railway Museum
This railway museum displays historic trains and offers rides on steam trains. Ideal for train lovers.
Address: An der Dresdner Bahnlinie 130C
Opera House of Chemnitz
The opera house is known for its extensive programming of operas, ballets and other theatrical performances.
Address: Theaterplatz 2
Chemnitz Art Collections
This art gallery has an impressive collection of modern and contemporary art, including works by famous artists such as Caspar David Friedrich and Van Gogh.
Address: Theaterplatz 1
Schloßberg Museum
This museum showcases the history of Chemnitz and the surrounding region, from prehistory to modern times. It is housed in a former monastery.
Address: Schloßberg 12
Villa Esche
This villa is a masterpiece of Art Nouveau architecture and is now a museum. The building was designed by the famous architect Henry van de Velde.
Address: Parkstrasse 58
Chemnitz Industrial Museum
This museum offers a glimpse into the region's industrial history, with exhibits on textile manufacturing, car making and other industrial machinery that was important to Saxony's economy.
Address: Zwickauer Str. 119
To Chemnitz by train
You can travel to Chemnitz with Intercity Berlin via Hanover or with ICE International via Frankfurt.
With ICE International or Intercity Berlin, you can travel from Amsterdam Centraal to Chemnitz in approximately 10.24 hours. You will have to change trains two or three times. The route is via Frankfurt and Leipzig with ICE or via Hannover and Leipzig with Intercity Berlin. Travel times are similar for both routes.
Chemnitz: European capital of 2025
Train to Chemnitz
The city is known for its rich industrial history and cultural institutions.