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After the discovery of silver around 1470 and the great “Berggeschrey” the mining in Schneeberg was developing fastly. But the days of rich silver mining ended abruptly. 30 years later the mining declined sharply. To arrive the rich ore below the surface, the effort had to be increased. The operation of the cavities was becoming more expensive. For this reason the carriers of mining decided to reduce the weekly wages about one groat.
The life of the miners was not easy and although they had privileges, e.g. liberty of the military and serveral exemption from taxation their economic situation was unsatisfactory. Eight of the ten groats they had to raise for accommodation and food, only two groats remained to supply their wives and children. In spite of the technical development in mining, the conditions of work became harder.
In this situation the miners wouldn’t accept the reduction of the weekly wages. So they decided to fight against the wage-cut.
In 1498 the former “trade union” tried to cut the weekly wages again, therefore the miners walked with their flag out of the town and occupied the nearby “Wolfsberg”. Under this pressure the “trade union” reversed their decision and the miners returned into the town. These religious people went to the thanksgiving service to their church because they were very awesome believers.
From that moment the so called “Bergstreittag” (miners strike day) with a church service of the miners and a miner’s parade was established. The”Streittag” became a paid leisure day and the elector Johann Georg II. agreed it on the 22th July in 1665, the name day of Maria Magdalena.
Later for example in the 18th century they tried to abolish the leisure day, but they fended and so its reputation was stabilised. Primal as a result of the industrialisation and the modification of social and political conditions in the 20th century that day as a leisure day was abolished.
After the takeover from the nationalists in 1933 the social miner’s and mine-employees’ insurance as an independent organisation were forbidden and the “Streittag” could take place only in a limited way.
Traditional highlights on that day:
- museum of miners folk art between 9.30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- in the technical museum “Siebenschlehener Pochwerk” guided tours are offered
- Historic mine complex “Weißer Hirsch” in Schneeberg-Neustädtel: subsurface visits and guided tours
- Guided tours in the church of St. Wolfgang with explanations concerning the cranach-altar and the music of the organ
Please called us for an appointment: 00493772 39120
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