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Chemnitz is celebrating! New release combines history and innovation
Chemnitz University of Technology is participating in a book project about the city's history, after which important cultural heritage will be presented.
Chemnitz is celebrating! New release combines history and innovation
On April 22, 2025, the University Archives of Chemnitz University of Technology will take part in an exciting book project entitled “The Rail is Not Far from the Horse”. This book is an entertaining city guide about Chemnitz that also presents various cultural treasures of the university. Marked as the 88th edition of an anthology, it offers readers a fascinating exploration of the city known for its rich history and cultural developments.
A total of 25 Chemnitz cultural institutions contributed to this book in April 2025. In addition to general cultural topics, the book is also dedicated to five stories that are specifically related to Chemnitz University of Technology and its predecessor institutions. Among the objects mentioned are the old stock spinning mill, which today serves as a university library, as well as technical drawings by students at the Royal Master Craftsman School in Chemnitz.
A look at “De Re Metallica”
An outstanding highlight of the book is the mention of one of the oldest and most important works in the university library: “De Re Metallica”, written by Georgius Agricola. This important work, which appeared in Latin in 1556 and in a German translation in 1557, is considered an incomparable model for the development of mining sciences. Georgius Agricola, an important humanist and European Renaissance scholar, is also described as an “excellent ornament of the fatherland.” His best-known work offers a systematic presentation of mining and metallurgy and includes contributions to various other disciplines such as education and medicine. Georgius Agricola has therefore left a lasting influence on many scientific areas.
The copy of the first edition of “De Re Metallica” has been part of the Chemnitz University Library for several years. The Agricola Research Center Chemnitz is committed to preserving and maintaining the heritage of Agricola and annually organizes the Agricola Talks, the content of which is documented.
Cultural connections and developments
In addition to these historical references, the book also addresses the important development of the pacemaker in the GDR, in which researchers from the TH Karl-Marx-Stadt contributed. These technological advances are in line with the innovative strength of the region and the university.
Another fascinating element are the TUCELINI smoking men, which were manufactured between 2015 and 2019 at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Chemnitz University of Technology. These cultural artifacts, together with the other objects mentioned, offer a comprehensive insight into the diversity and richness of Chemnitz's cultural history.
The book is published by the working group of collection-based cultural institutes in Chemnitz and is available for 15 euros in bookstores and in the Chemnitz tourist information center. It is a worthwhile read for anyone interested in the European Capital of Culture and its valuable history.