SCHWARZENBERG, SAXONY

'Schwarzenberg' is a town in the Aue-Schwarzenberg district, in Saxony in Germany. It is situated in the Erzgebirge (aka Ore Mountains), approx. 15 km southeast of Aue, and 35 km south-west of Chemnitz.
The town has grown extensively over recent years by absorbing nearby communities. However the population has remained stable at approximately 20,000 inhabitants. Often called the "Pearl of the Erzgebirge", its main attraction is its historic centre, which boasts a large castle and the Church of Saint George.
From being a small industrial centre in the GDR, and home to two large companies, Foron and Formenbau Schwarzenberg, Schwarzenberg has lost most of its heavy industry over the last two decades. Only the latter company has stayed in business, and that as a subsidiary of the KUKA Corporation of Augsburg, Germany. Tourism is now the main industry, with the town being an excellent base for hiking tours during summer.