Zeisigwaldschänke is a historic forest inn tucked away in the heart of the Zeisigwald, the largest continuous woodland in Chemnitz. For well over a century, locals have made this spot their go-to destination for a walk, a coffee, and a break beneath old trees.

The inn stands on the site of a coffee house first built in 1794, while the current half-timbered building dates back to 1899. It's surrounded by mixed forest of beech, oak, spruce and pine, criss-crossed by small streams and ponds, and dotted with the remains of old porphyry tuff quarries. Nearby you'll find a playground on the former forest meadow and a small wooden chapel used for weddings. In summer it's a favourite for family outings, while in winter the forest turns quiet and atmospheric, just minutes from the city.

How to get there

• Chemnitz city centre — forest path through the Zeisigwald, approx. 30-40 minutes on foot, easy route
• Via the Saxon Way of St. James (Sächsischer Jakobsweg), which passes through the forest

Practical information

• The building is a listed historic monument, fully restored after 2000
• A small wooden chapel next to the inn is a reconstruction of a 1919 garden house
• Nearby Fuchsberg hill offers a viewpoint over Chemnitz

For years, locals nicknamed the derelict building the 'old witch's house' — today, after careful restoration, Zeisigwaldschänke once again welcomes visitors looking for a peaceful forest escape.