Visitors to the Ore Mountains are welcomed with this traditional miners’ greeting.
Mining history comes to life during a tour of a demonstration mine, where visitors gain insight into the hard work of miners below ground. Those who do not venture down into a mine can choose one of the mining history trails and geological trails in the Ore Mountains to get to know the interesting history of mining
In the weeks before Christmas the Ore Mountains are the setting for numerous miners’ parades and marches. The largest miners’ parade marches up in Annaberg-Buchholz on the 4th weekend in Advent every year. 30 heritage societies and eight miners’ bands march through the narrow streets and lanes of the mining town.
The parades are closely modelled on the historic rituals of the past, according to rank. Marching ahead is the chairman of the mining inspectorate, followed by pit foremen and head foremen together with the flag, which is carried by the oldest foreman. The next section comprises the mining craftsmen, blacksmiths, bricklayers and carpenters, behind them come the face workers. Mining hands, pitmen and boys form the end of the procession.
Members of miners’ bodies and associations wear with pride the parade garments of their ancestors. The colours and cut of these uniforms follow strict regulations.
Certain accessories, such as a foreman’s hatchet or sabre, contain information about the rank of a miner and the district he comes from.
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