Zwickau

caption=Main market square (Hauptmarkt) of Zwickau

Zwickau is a city in Saxony. Its rich history includes the facts that it is the birthplace of the 19th-century Robert Schumann and a number of automotive makes, most famously Horch and its junior companion brand Audi, which survives until today being based in Ingolstadt, and the post-war East German small vehicle Trabant. Although neither of those brands survived until today in Zwickau, Volkswagen, now the owner of Audi, has built a factory in town.

Zwickau Halal Travel Guide

Zwickau-1650-Merian - Zwickau back in 1650]]

Zwickau's history dates back almost 900 years, being based on a settlement by the local Slavic tribes, called Šwikawa in Sorbian (a name referring to the pagan god Svarozič). It is located on, and gives its name to and the river Zwickauer Mulde, a tributary of the larger Mulde which in turn flows into the Elbe. The centre and most neighborhoods of Zwickau are on the left (western) bank of the river.

For many centuries, its economy has largely been based on coal and silver mining, predating the industrial revolution by centuries, which is why the city retained a very medieval type old town. Zwickau has always been a rather affluent and important town, even if remaining on the small side compared to other Saxon metropoles.

While a centre of a region that numbers around 500 000 inhabitants, Zwickau has only around 90 000 citizens, providing for a small town feel. That said, despite the rather unfortunate development during the DDR times, Zwickau retained a wealth of architectural legacy and a particular charm not found in the modernist Chemnitz, baroque Dresden or busy Leipzig.

Zwickau Tourism Board Centre Zwickau . The very friendly staff will eagerly help you with maps of the city and brochures of local attractions. Web: |phone =+49 375 271 3240 GPS 50.71819, 12.49686

Travel as a Muslim to Zwickau

Zwickau Hauptbahnhof 2009-05-26 - Zwickau Hauptbahnhof

By train

The city's main train station is, unsurprisingly, called the Zwickau Hauptbahnhof. The Franken-Sachsen-Express stops at the station, on its way between Dresden, Chemnitz and Glauchau in Saxony to Hof, Bayreuth and Nürnberg in Bavaria. The service is generally hourly on most days, served alternatively by trains numbered [IRE 1 and [RE 3].

Two separate regional trains go from Zwickau to Thuringen (in. al. Gera, Jena, Erfurt and Weimar), as well as Lower Saxony (Göttingen) [RE 1 every two hours. To Leipzig there are S-Bahn-connections every hour with the S5X, which use the Leipzig city tunnel and therefore offer direct connection to the Leipzig downtown as well as the main station and airport.

A number of local trains link Zwickau to smaller towns across the Saxon Ore Mountains. The private railway company Vogtlandbahn] operates local diesel trains through Plauen and Vogtland that go as far as Mariánské Lázně and Sokolov in the Czech Republic.

Zwickau Hauptbahnhof GPS: 50.71518, 12.47678

By plane

The closest airports geographically are Leipzig#By plane|Leipzig-Halle, Dresden#By plane|Dresden and Erfurt#By plane|Erfurt. Those airports see service to limited destinations, for intercontinental flights you may use the slightly farther removed Berlin#By plane|Berlin airports or Prague#By plane|Prague Ruzyne in the Czech Republic.

Easiest to reach is Leipzig Airport (LEJ) with a direct train connection every hours between 5 am and approx. midnight taking the S5X.

Other airports have no direct connection to Zwickau, so you need to either change means of transportation on your way or provide yourself with a car. Be prepared for a 2-hour drive or a journey of 3 hours or more by train if you want to get from the airport straight to Zwickau. That said, given that all of the airports are near interesting tourist destinations on their own, it is good to combine your Zwickau into a tour of East Germany (and possibly the Czech Republic) if you plan on arriving by air.

How to get around in Zwickau

Tram map of Zwickau - Tramway network of Zwickau

How to take public transportation in Zwickau

The Städtische Verkehrsbetriebe Zwickau operates a network of tramways and bus lines in the city. There are only four tram lines in operation, confusingly numbered 3, 4, 5 and 7. 5 and 7 connect the Bahnhof (train station) with the old town, while 4 and 7 go from the downtown to Pölbitz, passing through the impressive 19th-century quarters and stopping reasonably close to the August Horch Museum.

By car

Zwickau has a very compact old town, which you will be able to navigate on foot easily. Exploring it that way is also preferable as many of the streets are pedestrianized, and even those accessible to cars have many restrictions and are not advisable to drive through unless you particularly need to.

There is a network of parkings strategically located around the old town. The prices are generally harmonized at €1.00 per hour. Of particular interest is the multi-level garage at the Zwickau Arcaden, where you can pay in the automated kiosks not only with euro coins and banknotes, but also with most credit and debit cards.

What to see in Zwickau

GPS: 50.71791|12.49759

Innenstadt

Marienkirche - Zwickauer Dom (Gothic Church of Zwickau) | GPS: 50.71794, 12.49509

Priesterhäuser am Domhof - GPS: 50.71747, 12.49467 - Some of the oldest existing residential buildings in Saxony, dating back to the 13th century.

Galerie am Domhof - GPS: 50.71755, 12.49517 - Built in 1876 as an art gallery and continues to house exhibitions

Town Hall - Rathaus | GPS: 50.71740, 12.49743

Hauptmarkt Zwickau - Rathaus and Gewandhaus

Kräutergewölbe and Löwen-Apotheke - GPS: 50.71792, 12.49722 The buildings immediately facing the town hall were built as pharmacies in the late 15th century, some of the oldest buildings of that kind in Germany

Gewandhaus - GPS: 50.71719, 12.49817 The former cloth merchant's hall is perhaps the most known historic building of Zwickau. Today, it houses a theatre.

Robert Schumann House - GPS: 50.71738, 12.49618

Schiffchen - GPS: 50.71690, 12.49579 The corner building was designed to bear many marine inspirations. It was restored in the late 1960s to its original form from 1485.

Dünnebierhaus - GPS: 50.71794, 12.49882 - Restored to its former glory with a stepped gable this former merchant's house is now used to hold civil marriage ceremonies.

St. Katharinenkirche - GPS: 50.72007, 12.49942 Another gothic church, which was completed throughout the 15th century.

Schloss Osterstein - GPS: 50.72105, 12.50027 The former ducal residence was rescued and restored from a complete ruin in 2004-2008.

Kornhaus - GPS: 50.72143, 12.49933 A granary from 1480
Pulverturm - GPS: 50.71900, 12.50100 The (gun)powder tower and a small bit of the city wall are all that remains of the formerly magnificent medieval fortifications of Zwickau. Dwarfed by the prefab blocks behind it and the Pulverturm is now a pretty surreal sight.

Paradiesbrücke - GPS: 50.71763, 12.50175 A pedestrian bridge from 1900 with restrained yet elegant decoration.

Grünhainer Kapelle - GPS: 50.71632, 12.49474 The chapel with vaulted ceilings is the only remaining part of the once expansive cistercian convent.

Landgericht Zwickau - District court of Zwickau | GPS: 50.71637, 12.49259 An impressive, eclectic building from 1876

Other neighborhoods

Horch 830 BL - The Horch 830 BL on display at the August-Horch-Museum

August-Horch-Museum - Audistraße 7, 08058 Zwickau GPS: 50.73291, 12.48431 Trams 4 and 7, buses 17 and 22 stop: Kaethe-Kollwitz Gymnasium ☎ +49 375 271 73 812 | Opening Hours: 9:30-17:00 (last entry 16:30), first Thursday every month - until 20:00, closed on Mondays €5.50 entry (€3.50 reduced), groups >12 people €1.00 less


The museum in the former Audi factory in the north of Zwickau is devoted to the history of the factory and the Saxon automotive industry in general, and in particular the brands of the former Auto Union (Audi, DKW, Horch, Wanderer), and the post-war Sachsenring and Trabant vehicles, with a small section devoted to the recent Volkswagens manufactured in Zwickau. Over 3,000 square metres it houses a fantastic collection of cars manufactured there and in the related former Auto Union factories in Saxony, as well as prototypes, full of unique models such as the Sachsenring P240 Repräsentant. The collection is presented in a very attractive way, each vehicle set against a reconstruction of a historic backdrop, with much space around to view it from almost every angle.
There is plentiful information pertaining to each vehicle displayed, as well as general information related to the development of the particular companies and the automotive industry in general and in Saxony in particular, as well as automobile technology, with many interesting exhibits. Unfortunately, most of the information is in German only. An audiodguide in either German or English may be rented at the reception at an extra charge of €2.50. Guided Tours in Zwickau by ehalal.io (email for prices) are available upon appointment for €30.00 per group of up to 12 persons (every next person + €2.50).

Alter Gasometer - GPS: 50.72300, 12.50027 As in other European cities, new use for the large round building used as a gas storage for the city had to be found once gas delivery methods changed. Today, it houses a cultural centre

Johannisbad - Johannisstraße 16, 08056 Zwickau GPS: 50.72506, 12.49701

Zwickau - Swan pond with boat (aka) - Schwanenteich

Schwanenteich - swan pond | GPS: 50.71268, 12.49077 The artificial pond was built by two local businessmen in the 19th century, and today the pond and the surrounding park are municipal property. It is called "the swan pond", and swans and the coat-of-arms animal of Zwickau, are indeed to be found there

Nordvorstadt - GPS: 50.72723, 12.49309 This quarter is full of interesting late 19th century residential buildings. Stroll down Leipziger Straße or take any of the side streets and enjoy.

Röhrensteg - GPS: 50.70767, 12.50555 An old wooden bridge from the 16th century

Muldenwarte - GPS: 50.72273, 12.50290 A gazebo on the right bank of Zwickauer Mulde

Krankenstift - GPS: 50.71906, 12.48731 The very decorative former hospital now houses a mini retail centre.

Moritzkirche - GPS: 50.72801, 12.49195 A lushly decorated neogothic church from the 1890s

Lutherkirche - GPS: 50.71923, 12.48361 A Jugendstihl church from the early 1900s.

What to do in Zwickau

Volkswagen Sachsen GmbH - Fahrzeugwerk Zwickau | Glauchauer Straße 40, 08058 Zwickau GPS: 50.79401, 12.48287 visitors should arrive at the Western gate on the Nordstraße ☎ +49 375 55 22 17 | Opening Hours: Tours take place Monday through Friday, between 9:30 AM and 12:00 noon Volkswagen offers the possibility to visit the assembly plant in Zwickau, which builds Golfs and Passats, in groups from 10 to 25 people. An appointment is required, and all group members must be at least 14 years old. The plant tour encompasses the stamping press department, body welding and final assembly. There is a possibility of arranging for a lunch and arriving by bus, which can then be used to travel between the widely spaced halls of the factory.

Zwickau Shopping Mall - The Zwickau Arcaden

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Zwickau

Zwickau Arcaden - Innere Plauensche Straße 14, 08056 Zwickau GPS: 50.71927, 12.49465 The Arcaden shopping gallery fills an entire block in Zwickau's old town and features most of the local favourites in terms of retail chains. Of importance to travellers arriving by vehicle may be the large parking facility, where one can pay both by cash and (most) cards.

Halal Restaurants in Zwickau

The Zwickauer Bürgersteak is a Beef back Steaks filled with ham, gherkin, onions and mustard, which is fried in an egg shell.

International

Citylight Hauptmarkt 17/18, 08056 Zwickau
Basilikum Leipziger Straße 180, 08058 Zwickau
Brasserie Philine's Klosterstraße 1, 08056 Zwickau
No.9 Am Kornmarkt 9, 08056 Zwickau
Remarque Bahnhofstraße 19, 08056 Zwickau

German / local

Alte Mühle Gewandhausstraße 7, 08056 Zwickau
Am Kreuzberg Lengenfelder Straße 130, 08064 Zwickau
An der Reitbahn | address=Saarstraße 9, 08056 Zwickau
Gasthaus 1470 Marienstraße 50, 08056 Zwickau
Gasthof Schneppendorf Jüdenhainer Straße 51, 08058 Zwickau
Mauritius Schänke Bahnhofstraße 18, 08056 Zwickau
Park Eckersbach | address=Trillerplatz 1, 08066 Zwickau
SchnitzelparadiesJohannisstraße 16, 08056 Zwickau
Zum Dortmunder | address=Äußere Schneeberger Straße 30, 08056 Zwickau}}

Bars

Barocco Bar | address=Römerstraße 22, 08056 Zwickau bleah
C. Ugly Bar Marienthaler Straße 98, 08060 Zwickau
Destille Peter-Breuer-Straße 12, 08056 Zwickau
Jamaica | address=Walther-Rathenau-Straße 20a, 08058 Zwickau
Maxim | address=Reichenbacher Straße 144, 08056 Zwickau
Stardust Peter-Breuer-Straße 15, 08056 Zwickau
Tattoolounge Peter-Breuer-Straße 10, 08056 Zwickau

Cafes and ice-cream parlors

ALEX Hauptmarkt 11/12, 08056 Zwickau
Eisbar | address=Äußere Zwickauer Str. 46, 08064 Zwickau
EisKult Poetenweg 4, 08056 Zwickau
Eiswerk Marienstraße 70, 08056 Zwickau
Gran Gelato Peter-Breuer-Straße 37, 08056 Zwickau

Clubs and discos

Club Seilerstraße | address=Seilerstraße 1b, 08056 Zwickau
Flash | address=Äußere Dresdner Straße 15, 08066 Zwickau
Moccabar Humboldtstraße 14, 08056 Zwickau
Nachtwerk Olzmannstraße 51, 08060 Zwickau
Palast Bar Hauptstraße 8, 08056 Zwickau

Where to stay in Zwickau

AMEDIA Hotel - Olzmannstraße 57 GPS: 50.70855, 12.45840 €46 In an industrial neighborhood close to the railway tracks

ACHAT Comfort Hotel Zwickau - Leipziger Straße 180 GPS: 50.73950, 12.48997 €51A reasonably-priced hotel from a German chain in the north of Zwickau, close to the August Horch Museum and right by the Neue Welt concert hall.

Holiday Inn Zwickau - Klosterstraße/Kornmarkt 9, 08056 Zwickau GPS: 50.71607, 12.49607 ☎ +49 375 27920 - €71
Hotel Merkur Garni - Bahnhofstraße 58 GPS: 50.71756, 12.48062 €44 This family-run establishment is a Garni-hotel, meaning it offers breakfasts only with no on-site restaurant. It is close to the Hauptbahnhof.

Hotel Park Eckersbach - Trillerplatz 1 GPS: 50.72716, 12.51487 €40 This hotel is in the east of Zwickau, a considerable distance from the downtown.

Telecommunications in Zwickau

News & References Zwickau

Explore more Halal friendly Destinations from Zwickau

Zwickau is in the west of Saxony and the more urbanized part of the state:

Plauen, beautiful relaxed city in the western extremity of Saxony, famous for its lace industry (approx. 0.5 hours with vehicle via Highway or by train)
Chemnitz and the largest city in Western Saxony, formerly Karl-Marx-Stadt (approx. 0.5 hours with vehicle via Autobahn)
Dresden and the lush baroque capital of Saxony (approx. 1 hour with vehicle via Highway or by train)
Leipzig and the largest city in Saxony famous for centuries for its trade fairs and since 1813 for the Battle of Nations (approx. 1 hour with vehicle via local roads)

Being in the southwest of Saxony, Zwickau is also reasonably close to many cities in Thuringia and Bavaria:

The three largest cities of Thuringia, Gera, Jena and Erfurt are about 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 hours by road, respectively
Nürnberg in Bavaria is a 2-hour vehicle trip away