Karl May

Birthplace of Karl May
Karl Friedrich May, the most famous son of this town, was born in the district of Ernstthal on 25 February 1842 as the fifth child of a poor weaver family.
The author created such legendary characters like Old Shatterhand, Winnetou, Kara Ben Nemsi and, of course, Hadschi Halef Omar Ben Hadschi Abul Abbas Ibn Hadschi Dawud al Gossarah.


Karl-May-house

The life of the probably most widely read German writer appears to have been as adventurous as the stories in his works. Translated into almost 40 languages and with 80 million sold copies in German alone, Karl May has fascinated readers of all generations as hardly any other author. Almost everyone has seen one of the numerous adaptions of his books that have been screened in cinema or television.

In his honour, a museum was opened in May’s birthplace in 1985 which has become a centre of attraction for admirers of Karl May from all over the world (for further information please phone +49-3723-42159). The 300-years-old weaver house shows exhibitions about the life and work of this citizen of Hohenstein-Ernstthal.


Duration-showing


Weaving Room in
the Karl May House

 The working and living rooms of the May family, which are also part of the exhibition, reflect everyday life around 1842. An extensive collection of foreign Karl May editions attests to the widespread fame of the author. Regular special shows complement this permanent exhibition.
In 2001, a Karl May meeting centre with an exhibition, conference and seminar room was opened just opposite May’s birthplace. The expensively renovated building houses, amongst other things, the comprehensive archives of the Karl May Museum. It also exhibits a reproduction of the working room of another honorary citizen of Hohenstein-Ernstthal – the likewise well-known adventure author Werner Legère.


Bust of Karl-May


Sign-board:
Karl May went to school in this house where he was taught to play the piano by cantor Strauch.

Why not combine a visit in May’s birthplace with a day trip “following the traces of Karl May”? A well signposted trail leads you to more than twenty objects within the town that are connected with Karl May. Sign-boards will provide you with corresponding information about the concrete reference to Karl May.

After leaving the town, the trail proceeds over the Pfaffenberg hill and through the Oberwald forrest to the Karl May cavern.

Here, the author found refuge when he was wanted by the police in 1869.


Serpentine quarry

Enjoy some exciting hours or even days in “Indian Valley”, a picturesque Indian village right on the water’s edge of the artificial lake Oberwald (see below). Step on board a time machine and immerse yourself in the world of Karl May and live like the characters in his books. We offer you individually compiled programmes.
Another attraction is a western town and an open air theatre where you can watch performances of Karl May’s works since the summer of 2004. For further information about the programme etc., please contact our information hotline or visit our web site.