Chemnitz named European Capital of Culture 2025

The European selection jury named Chemnitz, Germany, the European Capital of Culture in 2025. The Saxonian city was chosen over four other German cities: Magdeburg, Hannover, Magdeburg, Nuremberg and Hildesheim.

The European Capitals of Culture initiative celebrates and highlights the diversity of European culture. These awards also bring international attention to underrated or overlooked places, which can often boost tourism and give new life to a city’s cultural life.

This initiative was launched in 1985 and has brought more than 50 European cities to the forefront. Chemnitz is the third German city recipient of this title. Weimar was nominated as a Capital of Culture in 1999, and Essen in 2009.

6 interesting facts about Chemnitz, European capital of culture 2025

Let’s look at some fun facts about Chemnitz to understand why it is so special:

• Chemnitz is a city that mixes tradition and modernity. The historic downtown of Chemnitz is filled with Bauhaus-style architecture and examples of New Objectivity. There are also traditional structures like the Rathaus.
• The town hall of Chemnitz is a popular attraction. It consists of two parts. The Old Town Hall ( Altes Rathaus), built in the 15th century, gives visitors a glimpse into the city’s past. The New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus) was built in the early 20th-century in a distinctive Art Nouveau design.
• Chemnitz is a paradise for art lovers: From the Chemnitz Art Collections to the Gunzenhauser Museum, visitors can see collections of classical modernism.
• The East German government renamed the city Karl-Marx-Stadt in 1953 and constructed a 23-foot high bust of Karl Marx. After German reunification, the city regained its original name of Chemnitz. The Marx statue is still one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions.
• The city is named after the River Chemnitz, which runs 47 miles. Chemnitz is a German word that means “stony stream.”
• Chemnitz is only a short drive from nature. The city is located at the foot of the Ore Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This mountain range is great for hiking, skiing, and other outdoor activities.

The initiative aims to spark a collaboration with many other places and cities which have been overlooked by tourists and cultural development in the continent. Together, they will make a robust statement for democratic participation and a cosmopolitan cross-border society.

Saxon State Minister Barbara Klepsch said she was thrilled with the European jury’s decision: “I am overjoyed with the decision of the European jury. This moves a strong city in the middle of Europe even further into the continent’s heart. The award is for local cultural work and opens up new opportunities for cultural life. I invite all those interested in culture from Europe and beyond to Chemnitz in 2025.”

Lord Mayor Barbara Ludwig stated: “The penultimate working day as Lord Mayor of this wonderful city is clearly the best of my 14-year term.”

It will become even easier to visit Chemnitz from 2025 when the new ETIAS visa waiver system goes live: non-EU citizens from over 60 nations currently enjoying visa-free travel will be eligible to obtain an ETIAS. This authorization is intended for short-stay trips up to 90 days, and will enable foreigners to enter the Schengen area multiple times over the course of 3 years (the validity of the authorization).