The Renaissance artists - archivists of the Reformation

The Reformation period was also the era of the Renaissance. With their programmatic art, the old masters made the Reformation accessible to posterity. Now the Renaissance artists are also taking you with them - on a 4-day journey back in time to the world of Martin Luther.

Dusty, dark and confined. It is associations like these that mining commonly evokes. During your visit to the Erzgebirge towns of Freiberg and Annaberg-Buchholz, you will see that this rustic craft can also have a surprisingly artistic effect. In the centres of mining, you ll find valuable paintings from the Cranach collection and discover magnificent art treasures in the churches where the miners once held their early mass.

Your journey will begin in Dresden, where you ll find a wealth of masterpieces from the Reformation period. Here you can not only admire valuable paintings, but also explore the Frauenkirche, which exemplifies Martin Luther's ideas of a Protestant church building. 

Trip itinerary:

1. Day 1: Dresden- Treasures from the Reformation

• Themed city tour
• Visit the Dresden State Art Collections incl. the "Old Masters"
• Visit the Frauenkirche

2. Day: Freiberg, Augustusburg, Annaberg-Buchholz - Renaissance art in historic walls

• Tour of the city with a visit to Freiberg Cathedral
• Prelude on the famous Silbermann organs
• Visit the Freiberg City and Mining Museum with its Cranach paintings
• Visit Freudenstein Castle, seat of Duke Henry the Pious, who introduced the Reformation in Saxony
• Drive to Augustusburg
• Visit the Renaissance castle of Augustusburg with the castle church and its famous Cranach altarpiece
• Drive to Annaberg-Buchholz (overnight)

3. Day 3: Annaberg-Buchholz, Schneeberg-the artistic facet of mining

• Tour of the town with visits to the St. Annen, St. Katharinen and Bergkirche St. Marien
• Drive to Schneeberg
• Visit St. Wolfgang's Church, with the first large altar of the Reformation

Tip: Excursion to Musicon Valley® Markneukirchen