• 8.64 km long
  • Round trip
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Condition: very easy
  • Hiking
  • 2:05 h
  • 8.64 km
  • 80 m
  • 80 m
  • 287 m
  • 321 m
  • 34 m
  • Start: Marketplace, at the tourist info
  • Destination: Marketplace, at the tourist info
Chemnitz highlights meet the art and sculpture trail PURPLE PATH. A tour through the Chemnitz city center, green riverbank landscapes along the Chemnitz, and through small, cozy streets full of atmosphere.

The PURPLE PATH is an open-air exhibition of contemporary art featuring works from more than 60 artists. Spread throughout the region, the artworks tell a story rooted in it. This also applies to Chemnitz.

Along eight of the artworks on the art and sculpture trail, nothing stands in the way of a pleasant walk through the city center. The route starts in the center at the marketplace and leads past landmarks such as St. Jakobi Church, the town hall, the Red Tower, the famous Karl Marx Head, and the Theater Square with the Chemnitz Art Collections.

After the initial big city bustle, you enter the Brühl, a pedestrian zone with the well-known ZUHAUSE lettering and small shops, cafés, and pubs inviting you to stroll. Crossing the Chemnitz river via a pedestrian bridge, you now follow the Chemnitz riverbank, lined with green treetops, towards the Colorful Chimney (Lulatsch).

From there, the route leads up to Schlossberg, where a stunning view of the Colorful Chimney opens up. Shortly after follows the next viewpoint: From the castle church, there is a wide view over the castle pond to the Chemnitz city skyline. Afterwards, the route returns back to the city center.

Thus, a relaxed city round emerges that connects culture and urban greenery in a special way and shows Chemnitz from its diverse and most beautiful side.

Pavements

Unknown (79%)
Street (7%)
Asphalt (7%)
Path (7%)

Best to visit

suitable
Depends on weather

Directions

The PURPLE PATH artworks along the circular route:
  1. Young-Jae Lee: Vases (was visible until 20.11.25) - St. Jakobi Church, Jakobikirchplatz
  2. Hans Peter Kuhn: Lights light - Administrative building of eins energie in Sachsen, Johannisstraße 1
  3. Michael Morgner: Relic Human - New Technical Town Hall, Friedensplatz / Brückenstraße 2
  4. Gabriela Oberkofler, Jacob Strobel: Seeds & Seats - Brückenstraße
  5. Andreas Schmid: Colourfield Chemnitz - Chemnitz Art Collections, Theaterplatz 1
  6. Osmar Osten: On Top With - Schillerplatz, Straße der Nationen 62
  7. Eberhard Göschel: Cora + Mabel - Schillerplatz, Straße der Nationen 62
  8. Johann Belz: Clapper Fountain - Near bus station / Straße der Nationen 33
  9. Daniel Buren: 7 Colors for a Chimney / Sept Couleurs pour une cheminée - Dammweg 10, 09114 Chemnitz

Tour information

  • Loop Road

Directions & Parking facilities

Getting there
By public transport:
  •  by train to Chemnitz main station

  • by train from Chemnitz main station to central stop (city center)

By car:

  • via the A4
  • via the B173
  • via the B95
Parking
  • Parking lot at the main train station forecourt

  • Roter Turm parking garage
  • Rosenhof parking garage 
  • Parking on Kaßberg

Additional information

Here you can find the digital "Visit Chemnitz: The Tourism Magazine"

Here you can access the official PURPLE PATH website.

Literature

Here you can find the digital "Visit Chemnitz: The Tourism Magazine"

Here you can access the official PURPLE PATH website.

Author

Vanessa Hähnel

Organization

Tourismusverband Chemnitz Zwickau Region e. V.

License (master data)

Vanessa Hähnel
License: Attribution, ShareAlike

Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author

 The Purple Path tour is now also available with your personal audio guide for free in SmartGuide!

Our tips:

  • Chemnitz Art Collections
  • smac: State Museum of Archaeology Chemnitz
  • Chemnitz Castle Pond
  • DAStietz with Fossilized Forest
  • University Library TU Chemnitz
  • Karl Marx Head