Fichtelberg
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| Fichtelberg | |
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 Fichtelberghaus with viewing tower |
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  Fichtelberg
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| Elevation | 1,214.6 metres (3,985 ft) |
| Location | Saxony, Germany |
| Range | Erzgebirge |
| Coordinates | 50°25′43″N 12°57′17″E / 50.42861°N 12.95472°ECoordinates: 50°25′43″N 12°57′17″E / 50.42861°N 12.95472°E |
The Fichtelberg (German pronunciation: [ˈfɪçtəlbɛɐ̯k]) is a mountain with two main peaks in the middle of the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains) in south-eastern Germany, in Saxony near the Czech border. At 1,214.6 meters above sea level, Fichtelberg is the tallest mountain in Saxony and the second highest mountain of the Ore Mountains. Its shorter peak is 1,206 meters high. The Fichtelberg was the highest mountain of the German Democratic Republic (East Germany).
Fichtelberg towers above the holiday and winter sports destination of Oberwiesenthal, both connected via the Fichtelberg Aerial Tramway. The aerial tramway was opened in 1924[1], is 1,175 meters long, and has a vertical climb of 305 meters. It takes six minutes to travel from the valley to the peak of the mountain. Since the lower half of the mountain peak has parking lots, while the upper parking lot has only limited parking spaces, it is highly recommended for visitors and hikers to take the bus or the aerial tramway.
On the peak of the mountain is the Fichtelberghaus (a restaurant, cafeteria-style restaurant and a hotel) with its 31-meter-tall viewing tower. The newer portion of the building was opened in 1999, as the former Fichtelberghaus was torn down in 1967. The original Fichtelberghaus was built in 1888, but burnt down on 25 February 1963.
On clear days, one can see to the mountains in the northern Czech Republic (the České středohoří) and into the mountains shared by Poland and the Czech Republic. The area around the Fichtelberg and the neighbouring Klínovec mountain are famous for winter sports providing many ski lifts and cross-country ski runs.
 Fichtelberghaus after the expansion in 1912 |
 The Fichtelberg Aerial Tramway ascending to the peak |
[edit] References
- ^ "Oberwiesenthal: Winter Wonderland, on High". Deutsche Welle. 2005-02-06. http://alemania-hoy.com/dw/article/0,2144,1086989,00.html. Retrieved 2008-06-13.
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