Ore Mountains

Ore Mountains (Krušné hory in Czech, Erzgebirge in German) are approximately 150 km long and 40 km wide and form a mountain range. Through the ridge runs the Czech-Saxony border. On the east Ore Mountains adjoin Saxon Switzerland, westward it is Elstergebirge and Vogtland. Southwards from the Osterzgebirge is situated the Severoceska basin and the Czech "middle-range" is on the opposite side.

Ore Mountains are so-called „board range" (range in the shape of board/desk). They were formed by the unilateral elevation of the landmass. On the German side they go up gradually and plunge down on the Czech side. This is clearly visible on the Czech side from Komari Vizka 807,5 m above sea-level, which is right on the edge of the „board".

The peaks of Ore Mountains:

Keilberg (Klínovec) in the Czech Republic (1,244 m) and Fichtelberg (1,214 m), both near Oberwiesenthal

Ore Mountains earned their name due to the local ore mining (in German Erzgebirge - Erz = ore), which began together with the colonization in 12th century. The production of silver, lead, zinc, cobalt and iron was stopped in 17th century.

After this period a bloom of wooden works and toys production begins and that especially in Osterzgebirge area. Also glass industry has its own tradition here.