If you compare Annaberg’s history with that of other medium-sized German cities, you quickly realize that it is relatively young. This applies to both Annaberg and Buchholz:
1491 you are at Schreckenberg on silver lodes encountered. Therefore, in 1496, on the orders of the Saxon ruler George the Bearded, a settlement was created. This new city was granted city charter just one year later and the right to mint again a year later. The name Sankt Annaberg is documented for the first time in 1501. In addition to the settlement from 1496, another mining settlement was established in the Grünhain monastery area (below Annaberg) from 1495: St. Katharinenberg im Buchholz. This received its first privileges in 1501 and became a town from 1539 designated.
The rich gifts of silver mining drew many miners to Annaberg. At this event one speaks of the so-called Berggeschrey. What is meant is nothing less than the beginning of silver ore mining in the Ore Mountains. With the massive influx, there was a rapid increase in the number of residents, so that the city developed into the second largest city in Saxony (after Freiberg) in the first half of the 16th century. Around the year 1522/23 the now well-known Adam Ries came to Annaberg. In addition to his work as an arithmetic master, he also exercised a function as a mining official.
1539 – after the death of George the Bearded, the Reformation was introduced in Annaberg in 1539. During the 17th century there was an enormous decline in mining activity in Annaberg. In addition, the entire region suffered from the devastating effects of the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648). After the railway line from Chemnitz to Annaberg could be opened in the 19th century, there was a renewed economic upswing, which this time was supported by the textile industry. Against the background of the industrial revolution, Annaberg and Buchholz were able to become one of the world’s important centers for trimmings (Manufacture of trimmings such as cords, fringes, etc.).
The history of Buchholz is very similar to that of Annaberg: there, too, since the 16th century, lace- making and trimmings had achieved flourishing economic efficiency, which was achieved by the influx of Bohemian exiles, who died after the battle of the White Mountains and the imperial subjugation of the Bohemian class uprising had come to the city was reinforced. Buchholz also experienced severe devastation during the Thirty Years’ War, but has been successful in other areas since 1868, as a manufacturing process for pearl fabric was invented there.
According to computergees, Annaberg-Buchholz is a city located in Germany. Annaberg was lucky enough to be largely spared from severe damage during World War II. Buchholz, on the other hand, suffered heavy hits in a bombing raid in 1945. Finally, after the end of the war, Annaberg and Buchholz were united. This was done by order of the Soviet city commandant. In the 1950s uranium ores began to be extracted and there was a short-lived resurgence in mining, as a result of which the population rose sharply again.
In the course of the district reform, Annerberg-Buchholz became the district town of the new district of the Erzgebirgskreis. This changed the license plate number in the area of the new district in ERZ from August 1st, 2008.
Annaberg-Buchholz: Recommended excursions
Pöhlberg
This 832 meter high mountain in the upper Ore Mountains is located east of Annaberg-Buchholz and, in addition to its natural beauty, also offers interesting cultural and historical sights such as St. Briccius, the oldest mining area around Annaberg. There is a hotel and an excursion restaurant on the summit of the Pöhlberg. In addition, there is a 35-meter-high observation tower, which was opened in 1897 and provides a wonderful view that, in good weather conditions, extends as far as Chemnitz or Fichtelberg. The Annaberger Stadtwald spreads out at the foot of the Pöhlberg, an extremely popular local recreation area.
Schreckenberg
The second highest mountain near Annaberg-Buchholz measures 649 meters. It is located in the northwest of the city and once functioned as the “cradle of Annaberg silver ore mining” after a silver vein was discovered here. Later, the now founded town of Annaberg was linked to the silver discovery site and the saying was invented: “If you are a rich Annaberg, you have a sack full of horror berries.” Since the late 19th century, there has been a romanticized castle ruin on the top of the mountain, consisting of a castle tower and indicated remains of ruins.
