To no other town in Germany, the term of “City of Modernity” might apply better than to Chemnitz. Born in times of the industrial modernity, which is still giving new impetus to the dynamic development of economy and science in Germany, Chemnitz stands for the influences of both the cultural and architectural modernity. Modernity as a basic principle, that means continuing development, movement and innovation, and its design and shaping power have given a new look to the city centre, which was developed by international architects in a completely new way. Regarding the successful mixture of retail, offices, gastronomy, living, leisure time and culture, the “new centre” was awarded the DIFA prize for inner-city accommodations in 2006 (International prize for real property).

Not only numerous impressive industrial buildings – the “cathedrals of industry” – but also residential buildings dating back to the period of the Gründerzeit, Art Nouveau mansions as well as public and private buildings in the Bauhaus style testify to the economic success of Chemnitz. The Kaßberg in Chemnitz is one of the largest Gründerzeit and Art Nouveau districts in Europe. The villa of Herbert Esche, a hosiery manufacturer, was designed as a complete artwork by the famous Art Nouveau artist and architect Henry van de Velde. It was groundbreaking for the New Sobriety of the 1920s.

Karl Schmidt-Rottluff – an expressionist originating from Chemnitz and a cofounder of the artists’ association “Brücke” (The Bridge) – is regarded as another renovator of the 20th century art. Today the second largest art collection of Schmidt-Rottluff artworks in Germany is the core piece of the Chemnitz Art Collections. Since 2007, the demanding offer of the Chemnitz Art Collections has been extended by the Gunzenhauser Museum showing one of the most comprehensive private collections of the German artist Otto Dix. Furthermore, the comprehensive cultural offer of the city includes top-class opera and drama productions as well as events of national importance such as the annual cultural festival BEGEGNUNGEN (“Encounters”) or the German Mozart Festival.