Mountain service: Celebrate the tradition of Annaberg mining!

Mountain service: Celebrate the tradition of Annaberg mining!

On July 27, 2025, the Schockenberg in the Frohnau district of Annaberg-Buchholz will be the backdrop for a festive mountain service. On this day, the miners remember St. Anna, the patron saint of Annaberg mining. The event is organized by the mining and brotherhood “Glück auf” in Frohnau and friendly mountain brotherhoods. In short, the mountain tradition is alive and well celebrated, so you can look forward to an event with heart and a lot of community spirit. The service begins at 2 p.m. and is led by Pastor Dr. Thomas Knittel led.

It's not just the celebrations that make the mountain service event a special occasion. The horror mountain itself has an impressive history. A rich silver vein was discovered here on October 28, 1491, which led to the founding of the “Neue Stadt am Schockenberg”, today’s Annaberg, in 1496. The ruins on the Schockenberg, which were built by Karl Christian Hohl between 1854 and 1856, not only offer a view over Annaberg's old town, but also an excellent backdrop for this important church service. After the seriousness of the service, participants can also look forward to a cozy get-together with coffee and cake, provided by the Frohnau local fire department.

Mining – A deep-rooted tradition

Mining has a long and rich history in the Erzgebirge, which lies on the border between Saxony and Bohemia. The first mining activities were documented here as early as prehistoric times. The heyday began from 1168 with significant silver discoveries in Freiberg, which led to towns such as Freiberg, Annaberg and Schneeberg growing and developing significantly during the mining heyday. The support from the Saxon princes ensured that mining was able to establish itself as an important industry. Saxony online highlights that the region was known not only for silver, but also for tin, copper, lead and iron.

These mountain traditions are deeply anchored in the culture of the Ore Mountains. The Oberscheibe/Scheibenberg mining brotherhood was founded in 1683 and is still a symbol of mining heritage today. Every year on July 22nd, the mountain festival in honor of St. Mary Magdalene takes place in Scheibenberg, a colorful expression of lively customs. It shows that despite the economic upheavals in the 19th century caused by industrialization and subsequent decline, many of these traditions live on to this day and are constantly being revived.

Challenge and future of mining

Where is mining in the Erzgebirge heading? This question is looming as discussions about new deposits take place. The focus is on rare earths and lithium, which are increasingly in demand for modern technology. However, given the history and unique traditions of the region, care is taken to ensure that the protection of the mining historical heritage is not lost sight of. The Mountain Brotherhood Oberscheibe is an example of how tradition and innovation can be combined to preserve cultural identity for future generations.

A good dose of nostalgia meets future prospects when the miners come together on the Schockenberg on July 27, 2025 to commemorate their history and explore new paths. So it can be said: mining and its traditions are very popular and we warmly invite you to join in the celebrations!