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Fichtelberg, Bavaria

December 20, 2023

Fichtelberg is a municipality in the district of Bayreuth in Bavaria in Germany. It is a state-recognised climatic spa.

Fichtelberg
Municipality
Fichtelsee lake
Coat of arms
Location of Fichtelberg within Bayreuth district
Nürnberger LandBayreuthBayreuthHof (district)Wunsiedel (district)Kulmbach (district)Lichtenfels (district)Bamberg (district)Forchheim (district)Tirschenreuth (district)Neustadt an der Waldnaab (district)Amberg-SulzbachPrüllWarmensteinacher Forst-NordWaidacher ForstWaidacher ForstVeldenstein ForestNeubauer Forst-NordWaischenfeldBayreuthHeinersreuther ForstGlashüttener ForstForst Neustädtlein am ForstGemeindefreies Gebiet FichtelbergEmtmannsbergHaagSeybothenreuthCreußenWarmensteinachWeidenbergSchnabelwaidPrebitzPlechMistelgauMistelbachHummeltalHeinersreuthGoldkronachGlashüttenGeseesGefreesEckersdorfBischofsgrünBischofsgrünBindlachBetzensteinBad Berneck im FichtelgebirgeSpeichersdorfKirchenpingartenWaischenfeldPlankenfelsPegnitzMehlmeiselHollfeldFichtelbergAufseßAhorntalBischofsgrüner ForstPottenstein
Fichtelberg
Fichtelberg
Coordinates: 49°59′57.68″N 11°51′4.52″E / 49.9993556°N 11.8512556°E / 49.9993556; 11.8512556
CountryGermany
StateBavaria
Admin. regionOberfranken
DistrictBayreuth
Subdivisions3 Ortsteile
Government
 • Mayor (2020–26) Sebastian Voit[1] (CSU)
Area
 • Total5.17 km2 (2.00 sq mi)
Elevation
685 m (2,247 ft)
Population
 (2022-12-31)[2]
 • Total1,818
 • Density350/km2 (910/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
Postal codes
95686
Dialling codes09272
Vehicle registrationBT
Websitewww.fichtelberg.de
Fichtelberg (postcard around 1910/1920)

Geography edit

Fichtelberg lies on the southeastern slopes of the Ochsenkopf, the second highest summit of the Fichtel Mountains, and the most populous place in the Fichtel Mountain Nature Park. Fichtelberg lies on a major European watershed. Two rivers rise above the suburb of Neubau, the White Main, one of the two headstreams of the Main, which flows westwards to the Rhine, and the Fichtelnaab, which flows south and enters the Danube.

Since 1857 Fichtelberg has belonged to the Bavarian provinces of Upper Franconia.

Municipal divisions edit

  • Fichtelberg
  • Hüttstadl
  • Neubau

Neighbouring parish edit

The only parish that borders immediately on Fichtelberg is Mehlmeisel.

Etymology edit

The origin of the name Fichtelberg, as well as the Fichtel Mountains is probably to be found in mining lore and not, as long suspected, its dense, spruce forests. At the time the name originated, pollen analysis shows that in the North Bavarian region mixed forests of beech, fir and spruce existed. It was only due to the mining and smelting industry, that hardwood species were decimated and faster-growing spruce was planted to supply wood for the mines. At first, only a mountain called Vythenberg where the St. Vitus mine was located, was mentioned in a charter of 1317; this later became the Ochsenkopf. The original name later evolved into the word Vichtel or Fichtel and was eventually used for the entire terrain of present-day Fichtel Mountains. The first written record of the Viechtlpergs dates to 1508.

History edit

The history of the site at Fichtelberg is dominated by ore mining of the mining company Erzgrube Gottesgab im Gleißingerfels am Fichtelberg. In 1600 the uppermost reaches of the Fichtelnaab valley near the present villages of Neubau and Fichtelberg was still covered with a rugged, forest-covered wilderness. Finds, such as a serpentine pendant in 1922 on the Ochsenkopf or a stone axe head excavated in 1935 east of Fichtelberg, suggest that the area around Fichtelberg was already inhabited in the Neolithic period, at least by hunters passing through. The absence of other finds, however, rules out any permanent settlement until the beginning of the 17th century. This was probably due to the steep slopes and significantly higher altitude along with a harsh climate and less fertile soils. Iron ore mining in the upper Fichtelnaab valley began in 1478, but only a small settlement of a few houses extended from the south up to the outskirts of what is now Fichtelberg today.

In 1602, Johann Glaser founded a company of six influential and financially powerful men, in order to work with them to begin mining on Gleißingerfels (about halfway between the modern villages of Hütten und Neubau), to search for suitable iron ore lodes, smelt them in blast furnaces using the most modern and profitable methods of the day and to process them profitably. The wood that was needed in large quantities in the furnaces, forges, hammers and foundries, was available in the extensive forests of the region. There was also enough water at first for the water wheels of the ironworks; when eventually the available water finally became insufficient, they promptly drove channels from the highest headstreams of the Main and the Steinach, and diverted the water. One example was the Bocksgraben. A thriving iron industry rapidly developed. Iron ore was processed in the royal foundry. At first, the mines were open cast, because the ore veins were on the surface. But eventually these pits collected too much water and there were no powerful pumps at hand. So adits were driven to enable the water to drain out. These hand-hewn tunnels were so big, that a large man could easily walk through them.

The mine on the Gleißinger Fels was called Gottesgab am Fichtelberg as was the important mining office established later far up the Fichtelnaab valley. The first accommodation huts appeared, the beginnings of a now growing and thriving mining settlement, and four furnaces smelted the silver iron that was mined in the Fichtelberg area. At this time, the region around Fichtelberg was the most important mining operation in the Electorate of Bavaria. Fichtelberg came under the Amberg Rentamt [bar; de; es] and the Waldeck district court (Landgericht) in the Electorate of Bavaria. The mining office had the legal status of a royal estate (Hofmark). In 1808 the Fichtelberg Mining Office, as a border region, changed hand repeatedly between the Kingdom of Bavaria and Margrave of Bayreuth. Since 1857, when the district of the then Bayreuth District Court was enlarged, it has been part of the province of Upper Franconia. Ore mining and smelting had been the economic factor in Fichtelberg, but with the beginning of industrialization, ore mining became less and less profitable. On 26 March 1859 work ceased and, in 1862, the mining company closed. It was initially followed by an economic decline which could only be partially compensated for by quarrying of granite and 'greenstone' (Proterobas), which had already since been worked on the Ochsenkopf massif since the beginning of the 17th century - and which was used especially for glass production - and by the timber industry. Many residents left the area.

After the Second World War, settlers came, mainly glass blowers from Gablonz, and helped Fichtelberg to renewed prosperity as an industrial site based on the glass and button production.

Since then it has largely lost its industrial importance, but survives because of its scenic location on the southwestern slope of the Ochsenkopf, mainly from tourism, and its function as a winter sports centre.

The Gleißinger Fels mines are the oldest in northern Bavaria and are the only silver iron (Silbereisen) mine in the world, which is still accessible to the public.

Tourism edit

 
view from south on lake Fichtelsee, close to campsite
  • 1,100 beds in the hotels, inns, guest houses, holiday homes and private homes
  • Highest campsite in northern Bavaria

Government edit

Parish council edit

The council has 14 members:

  • CSU 5 seats
  • Christlich Sozialer Förderkreis 2 seats
  • Freie Wähler (independents) 2 seats
  • Wählergruppe Fichtelberg 2.0 3 seats

(as at local elections in 2014)

Mayor edit

The mayor (Bürgermeister) is Sebastian Voit (CSU), elected in 2020.

Culture and points of interest edit

 
Column with 4 putti
 
Marian sculpture
Baroque Marian column with 4 putti
  • Baroque mining office church (Roman Catholic) 1708 to 1711, with altar from 1730 and wood carvings. The baroque glass windows in the altar room have mining motifs. Currently they are fully restored.
  • Baroque Marian column in 1680
  • Historic greenstone glassworks on the southern slope of the Ochsenkopf (archaeological excavations)

Sport edit

  • Fichtelsee recreation centre with nature reserve
  • Crystal radon brine spa with health centre
  • Guided walks
  • Curling
  • Ice skating
  • Minigolf
  • Mountain biking
  • Kegeln
  • Skilift
  • Night langlauf trail

Sport edit

  • Bleam'l Alm ski centre

Museums edit

  • AMF car museum
  • Mühlgüt'l village museum
  • Gleißinger Fels visitor mine

Transport edit

Fichtelberg lies about 3 kilometres south of the B 303 and not far from the A 9 motorway from Berlin-Nuremberg, exit Bad Berneck or, from Berlin, Gefrees,

References edit

  1. ^ Liste der ersten Bürgermeister/Oberbürgermeister in kreisangehörigen Gemeinden, Bayerisches Landesamt für Statistik, 15 July 2021.
  2. ^ Genesis Online-Datenbank des Bayerischen Landesamtes für Statistik Tabelle 12411-003r Fortschreibung des Bevölkerungsstandes: Gemeinden, Stichtag (Einwohnerzahlen auf Grundlage des Zensus 2011)

Further reading edit

Dietmar Herrmann: Der Ochsenkopf im Fichtelgebirge, Heft 17/2009 der Schriftenreihe des Fichtelgebirgsvereins e.V.

External links edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fichtelberg (Upper Franconia).

December 20, 2023
fichtelberg, bavaria, fichtelberg, municipality, district, bayreuth, bavaria, germany, state, recognised, climatic, fichtelbergmunicipalityfichtelsee, lakecoat, armslocation, fichtelberg, within, bayreuth, districtfichtelbergshow, germanyfichtelbergshow, bavar. Fichtelberg is a municipality in the district of Bayreuth in Bavaria in Germany It is a state recognised climatic spa FichtelbergMunicipalityFichtelsee lakeCoat of armsLocation of Fichtelberg within Bayreuth districtFichtelbergShow map of GermanyFichtelbergShow map of BavariaCoordinates 49 59 57 68 N 11 51 4 52 E 49 9993556 N 11 8512556 E 49 9993556 11 8512556CountryGermanyStateBavariaAdmin regionOberfrankenDistrictBayreuthSubdivisions3 OrtsteileGovernment Mayor 2020 26 Sebastian Voit 1 CSU Area Total5 17 km2 2 00 sq mi Elevation685 m 2 247 ft Population 2022 12 31 2 Total1 818 Density350 km2 910 sq mi Time zoneUTC 01 00 CET Summer DST UTC 02 00 CEST Postal codes95686Dialling codes09272Vehicle registrationBTWebsitewww fichtelberg deFichtelberg postcard around 1910 1920 Contents 1 Geography 1 1 Municipal divisions 1 2 Neighbouring parish 2 Etymology 3 History 4 Tourism 5 Government 5 1 Parish council 5 2 Mayor 6 Culture and points of interest 6 1 Sport 6 2 Sport 6 3 Museums 7 Transport 8 References 9 Further reading 10 External linksGeography editFichtelberg lies on the southeastern slopes of the Ochsenkopf the second highest summit of the Fichtel Mountains and the most populous place in the Fichtel Mountain Nature Park Fichtelberg lies on a major European watershed Two rivers rise above the suburb of Neubau the White Main one of the two headstreams of the Main which flows westwards to the Rhine and the Fichtelnaab which flows south and enters the Danube Since 1857 Fichtelberg has belonged to the Bavarian provinces of Upper Franconia Municipal divisions edit Fichtelberg Huttstadl NeubauNeighbouring parish edit The only parish that borders immediately on Fichtelberg is Mehlmeisel Etymology editThe origin of the name Fichtelberg as well as the Fichtel Mountains is probably to be found in mining lore and not as long suspected its dense spruce forests At the time the name originated pollen analysis shows that in the North Bavarian region mixed forests of beech fir and spruce existed It was only due to the mining and smelting industry that hardwood species were decimated and faster growing spruce was planted to supply wood for the mines At first only a mountain called Vythenberg where the St Vitus mine was located was mentioned in a charter of 1317 this later became the Ochsenkopf The original name later evolved into the word Vichtel or Fichtel and was eventually used for the entire terrain of present day Fichtel Mountains The first written record of the Viechtlpergs dates to 1508 History editThe history of the site at Fichtelberg is dominated by ore mining of the mining company Erzgrube Gottesgab im Gleissingerfels am Fichtelberg In 1600 the uppermost reaches of the Fichtelnaab valley near the present villages of Neubau and Fichtelberg was still covered with a rugged forest covered wilderness Finds such as a serpentine pendant in 1922 on the Ochsenkopf or a stone axe head excavated in 1935 east of Fichtelberg suggest that the area around Fichtelberg was already inhabited in the Neolithic period at least by hunters passing through The absence of other finds however rules out any permanent settlement until the beginning of the 17th century This was probably due to the steep slopes and significantly higher altitude along with a harsh climate and less fertile soils Iron ore mining in the upper Fichtelnaab valley began in 1478 but only a small settlement of a few houses extended from the south up to the outskirts of what is now Fichtelberg today In 1602 Johann Glaser founded a company of six influential and financially powerful men in order to work with them to begin mining on Gleissingerfels about halfway between the modern villages of Hutten und Neubau to search for suitable iron ore lodes smelt them in blast furnaces using the most modern and profitable methods of the day and to process them profitably The wood that was needed in large quantities in the furnaces forges hammers and foundries was available in the extensive forests of the region There was also enough water at first for the water wheels of the ironworks when eventually the available water finally became insufficient they promptly drove channels from the highest headstreams of the Main and the Steinach and diverted the water One example was the Bocksgraben A thriving iron industry rapidly developed Iron ore was processed in the royal foundry At first the mines were open cast because the ore veins were on the surface But eventually these pits collected too much water and there were no powerful pumps at hand So adits were driven to enable the water to drain out These hand hewn tunnels were so big that a large man could easily walk through them The mine on the Gleissinger Fels was called Gottesgab am Fichtelberg as was the important mining office established later far up the Fichtelnaab valley The first accommodation huts appeared the beginnings of a now growing and thriving mining settlement and four furnaces smelted the silver iron that was mined in the Fichtelberg area At this time the region around Fichtelberg was the most important mining operation in the Electorate of Bavaria Fichtelberg came under the Amberg Rentamt bar de es and the Waldeck district court Landgericht in the Electorate of Bavaria The mining office had the legal status of a royal estate Hofmark In 1808 the Fichtelberg Mining Office as a border region changed hand repeatedly between the Kingdom of Bavaria and Margrave of Bayreuth Since 1857 when the district of the then Bayreuth District Court was enlarged it has been part of the province of Upper Franconia Ore mining and smelting had been the economic factor in Fichtelberg but with the beginning of industrialization ore mining became less and less profitable On 26 March 1859 work ceased and in 1862 the mining company closed It was initially followed by an economic decline which could only be partially compensated for by quarrying of granite and greenstone Proterobas which had already since been worked on the Ochsenkopf massif since the beginning of the 17th century and which was used especially for glass production and by the timber industry Many residents left the area After the Second World War settlers came mainly glass blowers from Gablonz and helped Fichtelberg to renewed prosperity as an industrial site based on the glass and button production Since then it has largely lost its industrial importance but survives because of its scenic location on the southwestern slope of the Ochsenkopf mainly from tourism and its function as a winter sports centre The Gleissinger Fels mines are the oldest in northern Bavaria and are the only silver iron Silbereisen mine in the world which is still accessible to the public Tourism edit nbsp view from south on lake Fichtelsee close to campsite1 100 beds in the hotels inns guest houses holiday homes and private homes Highest campsite in northern BavariaGovernment editParish council edit This section needs to be updated Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information July 2021 The council has 14 members CSU 5 seats Christlich Sozialer Forderkreis 2 seats Freie Wahler independents 2 seats Wahlergruppe Fichtelberg 2 0 3 seats as at local elections in 2014 Mayor edit The mayor Burgermeister is Sebastian Voit CSU elected in 2020 Culture and points of interest edit nbsp Column with 4 putti nbsp Marian sculptureBaroque Marian column with 4 putti Baroque mining office church Roman Catholic 1708 to 1711 with altar from 1730 and wood carvings The baroque glass windows in the altar room have mining motifs Currently they are fully restored Baroque Marian column in 1680 Historic greenstone glassworks on the southern slope of the Ochsenkopf archaeological excavations Sport edit Fichtelsee recreation centre with nature reserve Crystal radon brine spa with health centre Guided walks Curling Ice skating Minigolf Mountain biking Kegeln Skilift Night langlauf trailSport edit Bleam l Alm ski centreMuseums edit AMF car museum Muhlgut l village museum Gleissinger Fels visitor mineTransport editFichtelberg lies about 3 kilometres south of the B 303 and not far from the A 9 motorway from Berlin Nuremberg exit Bad Berneck or from Berlin Gefrees References edit Liste der ersten Burgermeister Oberburgermeister in kreisangehorigen Gemeinden Bayerisches Landesamt fur Statistik 15 July 2021 Genesis Online Datenbank des Bayerischen Landesamtes fur Statistik Tabelle 12411 003r Fortschreibung des Bevolkerungsstandes Gemeinden Stichtag Einwohnerzahlen auf Grundlage des Zensus 2011 Further reading editDietmar Herrmann Der Ochsenkopf im Fichtelgebirge Heft 17 2009 der Schriftenreihe des Fichtelgebirgsvereins e V External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fichtelberg Upper Franconia Official website nbsp in German http www bergwerk fichtelberg de http www geopark bayern de Public Geosites Bayreuth GlashuetteOchsenkopf htm Archived 2016 03 03 at the Wayback Machine http www bayern fichtelgebirge de Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Fichtelberg Bavaria amp oldid 1187177609, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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