Hidden among Freiberg’s treasures lies Halsbach. A small village nestled beside the Freiberger Mulde. Its history is rich and surprisingly industrial.
Halsbach wasn’t always a quiet village. Its roots trace back to a knightly estate. This estate sat near Kreuzermark high above the valley. It was first mentioned in 1294 as “allodium dictum Habichsbach”. The name evolved over time. It became Haylßbach in 1468. Finally it settled on Halsbach in 1474.
After serfdom ended people settled on the slopes of the Mulde valley. These were miners and smelter workers. They supplemented their income with some farming. This scattered settlement grew into Halsbach. It was once affectionately known as “Dörfchen” the little village.
The knightly estate changed hands many times. Freiberg patrician families owned it. The estate lasted until 1945. Buildings and farmland were used by the “Lenin” agricultural production cooperative. Today a forwarding company occupies a surviving building.
Halsbach’s industry was closely tied to silver mining. Most of the buildings were demolished after the mines closed. However some witnesses to the past remain. The Hammerbrücke a hammer bridge built in 1570 still stands. It carried the state road to Dresden.
Next to the bridge is a significant building. The copper and iron hammer works first mentioned in 1678. Downstream was a timber yard. A float canal system from the Ore Mountains ended there in 1569. Graben remnants are visible. The Freiberg mines were supplied with wood from here.
Further downstream are parts of a former cardboard factory. This began as an ore crushing plant. The Rote Graben a red ditch starts at the mouth of the Königlich Vertraglich Gesellschaftsstollen. It was built in 1614/15. It diverted water from various tunnels. It also powered water and ore extraction. A short distance further along is the Thurmhofer Hilfsstollen. Beside it stands the old mine building called the Black House.
Halsbach had three schools. A growing student population required new buildings. The first school was in the Wagner family home. It taught six to ten students. It’s long gone. A one-room school was built in 1838 at Siedlersteg 4. It’s a listed building now. An 1887 two-room school on the B173 is a house today. Halsbach children now attend schools in surrounding villages.
Three inns once thrived in Halsbach. The Hammerschänke opposite the hammer works still stands. The Ziegelscheune on the B173 is demolished. Only the Gasthof Halsbach remains. It’s become the village’s cultural center.
Finally let’s not forget the Halsbach coral agate. This semi-precious stone is named for its layered structure. It was mined in a small wood north of the village. Mining occurred as early as the 18th century including underground workings. The agate was used for jewelry. Some exceptional pieces are in Dresden’s Green Vault.