Eastern Erzgebirge

Like the western part of the range, the eastern Erzgebirge is a popular recreation area at all times of year. In the Gottleuba valley are Berggiesshübel (Kneipp cure), which has been operating as a spa since 1722 and Bad Gottleuba, a spa since 1861 (chalybeate springs; mud baths). At Frauenstein, on the edge of the Obere Freiberger Mulde landscape reserve, can be seen the ruins of one of the largest castles in Saxony. There are other castles at Dohna, Weesenstein, Bärenstein and Lauenstein in the Müglitz valley.

The principal attractions at the higher levels in the eastern Erzgebirge are the hill towns of Altenberg and Geising with their demonstration mines; the Geisingberg, a round-topped basalt hill (824 m/2,704ft) on which the