Geography
Fichtelberg lies on the southeastern slopes of the Ochsenkopf, the second highest summit of the Fichtelgebirge mountains, and the most populous place in the Fichtelgebirge Nature Park. Fichtelberg lies on a major EuropeanMunicipal divisions
* Fichtelberg * Hüttstadl * NeubauNeighbouring parish
The only parish that borders immediately on Fichtelberg isEtymology
The origin of the name Fichtelberg, as well as the Fichtelgebirge, is probably to be found in mining lore and not, as long suspected, its dense, spruce forests. At the time the name originated, pollen analysis shows that in the North Bavarian region mixed forests of beech, fir and spruce existed. It was only due to the mining and smelting industry, that hardwood species were decimated and faster-growing spruce was planted to supply wood for the mines. At first, only a mountain called ''Vythenberg'' where the St. Vitus mine was located, was mentioned in a charter of 1317; this later became the Ochsenkopf. The original name later evolved into the word ''Vichtel'' or ''Fichtel'' and was eventually used for the entire terrain of present-day Fichtelgebirge. The first written record of the ''Viechtlpergs'' dates to 1508.History
The history of the site at Fichtelberg is dominated by ore mining of the mining company ''Erzgrube Gottesgab im Gleißingerfels am Fichtelberg''. In 1600 the uppermost reaches of the Fichtelnaab valley near the present villages of Neubau and Fichtelberg was still covered with a rugged, forest-covered wilderness. Finds, such as a serpentine pendant in 1922 on the Ochsenkopf or a stone axe head excavated in 1935 east of Fichtelberg, suggest that the area around Fichtelberg was already inhabited in the Neolithic period, at least by hunters passing through. The absence of other finds, however, rules out any permanent settlement until the beginning of the 17th century. This was probably due to the steep slopes and significantly higher altitude along with a harsh climate and less fertile soils. Iron ore mining in the upper Fichtelnaab valley began in 1478, but only a small settlement of a few houses extended from the south up to the outskirts of what is now Fichtelberg today. In 1602, Johann Glaser founded a company of six influential and financially powerful men, in order to work with them to begin mining on Gleißingerfels (about halfway between the modern villages of Hütten und Neubau), to search for suitable iron ore lodes, smelt them in blast furnaces using the most modern and profitable methods of the day and to process them profitably. The wood that was needed in large quantities in the furnaces, forges, hammers and foundries, was available in the extensive forests of the region. There was also enough water at first for the water wheels of the ironworks; when eventually the available water finally became insufficient, they promptly drove channels from the highest headstreams of the Main and the Steinach, and diverted the water. One example was the ''Bocksgraben''. A thriving iron industry rapidly developed. Iron ore was processed in the royal foundry. At first, the mines were open cast, because the ore veins were on the surface. But eventually these pits collected too much water and there were no powerful pumps at hand. So adits were driven to enable the water to drain out. These hand-hewn tunnels were so big, that a large man could easily walk through them. The mine on the Gleißinger Fels was called ''Gottesgab am Fichtelberg'' as was the important mining office established later far up the Fichtelnaab valley. The first accommodation huts appeared, the beginnings of a now growing and thriving mining settlement, and four furnaces smelted the silver iron that was mined in the Fichtelberg area. At this time, the region around Fichtelberg was the most important mining operation in the Electorate of Bavaria. Fichtelberg came under the Amberg ' and the Waldeck district court (''Landgericht'') in the Electorate of Bavaria. The mining office had the legal status of a royal estate (''Hofmark''). In 1808 the Fichtelberg Mining Office, as a border region, changed hand repeatedly between the Kingdom of Bavaria andTourism
* 1,100 beds in the hotels, inns, guest houses, holiday homes and private homes * Highest campsite in northern BavariaGovernment
Parish council
The council has 14 members: *Mayor
The mayor (''Bürgermeister'') is Sebastian Voit (CSU), elected in 2020.Culture and points of interest
*Sport
* Fichtelsee recreation centre with nature reserve * Crystal radon brine spa with health centre * Guided walks * Curling * Ice skating * Minigolf * Mountain biking * Kegeln * Skilift * Night langlauf trailSport
* ''Bleam'l Alm'' ski centreMuseums
* AMF car museum * ''Mühlgüt'l'' village museum * Gleißinger FelsEconomy and infrastructure
Transport
Fichtelberg lies about 3 kilometres south of the B 303 and not far from the A 9 motorway from Berlin- Nuremberg, exitReferences
External links
* * http://www.bergwerk-fichtelberg.de/ * http://www.geopark-bayern.de/Public/Geosites/Bayreuth/GlashuetteOchsenkopf.htm * http://www.bayern-fichtelgebirge.de {{Authority control Bayreuth (district)