Plauen

The basics

The city of Plauen is well known for its lace production that began in the late 19th century. It is highly regarded throughout the world due to its quality. At the Plauen Lace Museum, the only lace museum in Germany, visitors can learn about the lace and embroidery industry and its development. Plauen is also home to the Alte Elsterbrücke, one of the oldest stone arch bridges in Central Europe, and the Friedensbrücke, the widest stone arch bridge in the world. Climb up Bärensteinturm Tower to take in views of the town, and explore Plauen at your leisure with an audio guide or join a guided city tour.

Things to know before you go

• Try regional specialties such as sauerbraten (marinated and braised beef).

• In the summer, hiking and cycling are popular activities, while skiing and snowboarding take over the nearby mountain slopes in the winter.

• Plauen has two town halls—the Old Town Hall, which is home to the Plauen Lace Museum, and the New Town Hall, which has a distinctive tower. The large blue clock at the top of the new town hall is a good orientation marker.

How to get there

Plauen is about 2-2.5 hours by train from Nuremberg, Dresden, and Leipzig, all connected by several airlines to other parts of Europe. From North America, it is best to fly into either Berlin or Munich and take the train to Plauen. From the central train station, it’s a 10-minute walk to the city center; the town itself, especially Old Town, is easily accessible by foot, and it also boasts a system with trams and buses.

When to get there

Spitzenfest, the biggest festival in Plauen, is traditionally held in June; it celebrates the town's handicraft traditions and artistic customs. In terms of weather, the best time to visit is from May through September, when temps are pleasant and there’s little precipitation. From mid-September to the beginning of October, visitors head to Munich for Oktoberfest, so expect to encounter larger crowds throughout Germany.

More about the Plauen Lace Museum

A must-visit in Plauen, the Lace Museum, situated in the historic town hall, includes exhibits that feature objects like embroidered scarves and handkerchiefs, pattern books, and collars. See embroidery and stitching machines, and learn how Plauen became synonymous with the delicate fabric. Also, visitors can witness how it’s made at the embroidery demonstration workshop.