Oberlungwitz

What whispers echo through the dense forests that once blanketed Oberlungwitz? Oberlungwitz stands as a testament to human resilience and ingenuity, a town forged from the very heart of what was once the impenetrable Miriquidi forest. Oberlungwitz is nestled 18 km northeast of Zwickau and 15 km west of Chemnitz in Saxony, Germany. Its story begins in 1273, marked by a donation of land by the Waldenburg lord, Anarch I, to the Grünhain monastery. This act split the original settlement of Lungwitz, creating Oberlungwitz and Abtei-Oberlungwitz. These two entities remained separate for over six centuries, finally reuniting in 1890. Oberlungwitz’s location at the crossroads of two major routes, the B173 and B180, fueled its growth, making it the largest settlement in the valley. This strategic positioning, however, also made it vulnerable to the ravages of war and disease. Oberlungwitz endured hardship. Armies traversing the Hofer Straße brought not only trade but also destruction. The plague devastated the population. In 1639 alone, during the Thirty Years’ War, 120 people succumbed to the Black Death. From a humble farming village, Oberlungwitz transformed itself into a global industrial hub. In 1731, Samuel Uhlig introduced the first stocking frame, laying the foundation for the town’s renowned hosiery industry. This industry flourished in the 19th and 20th centuries, with Oberlungwitz becoming a world leader in stocking and stocking machine production. Names like ELBEO, once the largest German hosiery factory with 2,800 employees in the 1930s, are etched in the town’s history. Oberlungwitz was granted town status in 1936. This recognition came as its population boomed, approaching 10,000, fueled by the thriving textile industry and the global demand for its innovative stocking machines. While the Second World War spared Oberlungwitz physical destruction, the town bore the emotional scars of loss. The post-war era brought further challenges. The Soviet occupation led to the dismantling and removal of industrial machinery as reparations. Some entrepreneurial families relocated to the West, while others faced imprisonment and death in Soviet camps. The town’s spirit, however, remained unbroken. New industries emerged, and in 1953, the VEB Feinstrumpfwerke Oberlungwitz was established, marking the continuation of the town’s hosiery tradition. Today, known as ROGO-Strumpfwerke GmbH, it represents Oberlungwitz’s enduring connection to its industrial past. From dense forests to a bustling industrial town, Oberlungwitz embodies a remarkable journey. Its streets whisper tales of resilience, innovation, and the enduring human spirit. This town invites you to discover the heart of its story, woven into the very fabric of its streets and buildings.