Sale of the Fichtelberghaus: Erzgebirgskreis pushes the pace

The Erzgebirgskreis is pressing ahead with the sale of the Fichtelberghaus, which is popular with tourists. A decision on the sale is to be made by the district council before the end of the year, the district administration office told the German Press Agency in response to an inquiry. The authority is remaining silent on further details such as the expected proceeds. It also does not wish to provide any information on the number of bids received to date - even after the end of the bidding period. This expires on Thursday at 2.00 pm. Until then, interested parties can submit purchase offers for the property and land on eastern Germany's highest peak.

The district launched a so-called bidding process in the spring to sell the property. The background to this is a high investment requirement that the district does not want to shoulder itself. The Fichtelberghaus itself houses a hotel and restaurant. However, it is not just the building that is up for sale, but the entire plot of land belonging to it. The town council of Oberwiesenthal recently criticized this and called on the district to keep important areas on the plateau in public hands.

Popular skiing and hiking area

"The district will consider the comments of the town council of Kurort Oberwiesenthal together with its committees in due course," the district office said in response to an inquiry. The decision on the sale of the Fichtelberghaus lies exclusively with the district council. It should be made by the end of the fourth quarter. The Free State of Saxony would have a right of first refusal, but the Ministry of Finance has already turned it down.

The Fichtelberg with Saxony's largest alpine ski area attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. They not only get their money's worth in winter, the region is also a popular hiking and excursion destination in summer. There are also opportunities for cycling, horse riding, a fly-line and summer toboggan run. The landmark on the Fichtelberg is the historic suspension railroad, which takes visitors up to the 1,215-metre-high summit. The cable car is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.