When it comes to the town of Grünhain-Beierfeld, there are, in fact three villages that make up the town that borders the town of Schwarzenberg. I am, however, not going to split hairs on this technicality.
How is it even possible that I say (type) this stuff with a straight face. I’m German, of course I’m going to concern myself with technicalities. ;-)
In all reality, it doesn’t matter if there are a bazillion towns that make up Grünhain-Beierfeld — it’s pretty wonderful. Especially if you’ve decided to tackle a hike in the Ore Mountains, or the Erzgebirge for the German speaking crew.
If you walk far enough you’ll find the original wall of the Kloster Grünhain. This used to be one seriously powerful Cistercian Monastery, but the ugliness of the Thirty Years’ War led to its ultimate destruction.
The Klosterpark has the City Museum, and come Tuesdays to see a demonstration on how they once made pottery. Now there’s something you don’t see everyday. ;-)
Another one of Grünhain-Beierfeld’s museums is the Heimat- und Winterberg, where you can see what it was like to live around here back in the 1800s. You just gotta do it on Thursdays as that’s the only day of the week they’re open.
Over in the third village of the unmentioned town of Waschleithe you’ll find the Dudelskirche. That is, if you dare. You see, the Dudelskirche is a church ruin that’s said to be cursed. I don’t know about all that, but the church was struck by lightning — so you be the judge.
One place that is still standing is the little white chapel looking Sts. Peter & Paul Church in the village of Beierfeld. As is the St. Nikolai Church in Grünhain.
This all sounds like serious stuff, right? Don’t fret one bit, Grünhain-Beierfeld likes to kick back every once in a while. More often than not, considering there’s always a festival going on.
I’m sure to miss something, but let’s try… Here goes: The Straßenfest (Stree Festival) is an annual July event, as is the Summer Festival. May has the Spiegelwald Fair, while August has a 3-day Fire & Family Festival. September’s got the Musikfest Erzgebirge; October’s the Fall Festival & Fish Market; and December the Pyramidenfest and Christmas Market.
Now do you see why I wasn’t splitting hairs on Grünhain-Beierfeld’s name? Yeah, I was too busy. ;-)
