Vogtland

Vogtland is a historic and cultural region in Central Europe, centered on the western part of the German state of Saxony and extending into neighboring areas of the Czech Republic and Bavaria. The name derives from the vogts, medieval administrators who governed the land and gave the region its identity as the land of the Vogts.

Geography: The region is hilly and forested, lying on the western edge of the Ore Mountains with a landscape of plateaus, valleys, and numerous small rivers. The core area is in Saxony’s Vogtlandkreis, whose largest city is Plauen; other towns include Reichenbach im Vogtland, Auerbach, Bad Elster and Klingenthal. The area is known for its scenic countryside and spa towns.

History: Historically, Vogtland formed part of the Margravate of Meissen and later the Electorate and Kingdom of Saxony. It developed as an industrial region in the 18th and 19th centuries, with textiles—especially Plauen lace—becoming a hallmark. In the 20th century the area became part of East Germany and, after 1990, integrated into the state of Saxony and into cross-border programs with the Czech Republic.

Economy and culture: Today the region combines manufacturing with tourism. Spa towns such as Bad Elster and Bad Brambach attract visitors, while Klingenthal hosts the Vogtland Arena, a prominent ski jumping venue. Plauen remains associated with lace production and hosts the Vogtland Museum. The local transport network includes the Vogtlandbahn rail services that connect across the Saxon border toward the Czech Republic.