Vier Pfoten - Bluesfarm

Freiberg (10 minutes’ drive) was the original capital of Saxony, and a former mining town with 850 years of history. It is centred on the Gothic cathedral, well worth a look for its soaring spire, Silbermann organs and Romanesque Golden Gate. It is surrounded by colourful gabled and half-timbered buildings, and a farmers’ market is held in the square at its feet every day apart from Sunday. The city grew rich on silver mining in the Erzgebirge (Ore) Mountains, and today its Renaissance-era castle houses the world’s largest mineral exhibition at the impressive Terra Mineralia. You can also get a feel for mining conditions on underground tours of Freiberg Reiche Zeche silver mine (15 minutes). If you’re visiting with kids, you can treat them to cuddly donkeys and alpacas at Freiberg Zoo, and have a day off from sightseeing at Johannisbad waterpark (10 minutes), which has covered pools, lazy rivers and waterslides.