City chronicle at a glance

1118
First documentary mention as Zcwickaw.
1212
Zwickau is first mentioned in a document as an "oppidum".
1348
The municipal law is laid down in the Zwickau municipal law book.
1403
On 20 May the biggest fire in Zwickau's history destroys almost the entire city centre.
1470
Silver is found on the Schneeberg. The mining entrepreneurs are mainly citizens of Zwickau.
1520/21
Thomas Müntzer works as a preacher in Zwickau.
1522
At the request of the council, Martin Luther gives several sermons in the city.
1775
A prison is established in the Renaissance castle Osterstein. Among the most famous inmates are August Bebel and Karl May.
1810
On 8 June the composer Robert Schumann is born.
1838/39
Start of industrial mining of the Zwickau coal deposits.
1881
On 31 December the expressionist Max Pechstein is born. From 6 May, an electric tram, the first in Saxony, operates between the main market square and the railway station.
1897
The engineering school is founded, forerunner of the Westsächsische Hochschule Zwickau - University of Applied Sciences
1904
Start of Zwickau automotive engineering with the settlement of A. Horch & Cie. Motorenwerke AG.
1913
Gert Fröbe is born on 25 February in Oberplanitz.
1954
On 10 July a devastating flood hits Zwickau.
1956
Opening of the Robert Schumann House as a museum and research facility.
1957
On 7 November, production of the passenger car P 50, later known as the Trabant, begins at the Zwickau automotive plant.
1977
On 30 November, Zwickau's coal mining ends.
1989
Protest rallies and prayers for peace initiate the period of German reunification in Zwickau.
1990
The first free local elections are held on 6 May.
1991
On 30 April, the last Trabant rolls off the production line at the Sachsenring plant. Zwickau automotive manufacturing is continued by VW Sachsen GmbH with its vehicle plant in Mosel.
1999
On 28 May, the regional railway section Hauptbahnhof-Glück-Auf-Center-Stadtzentrum is inaugurated with the innovative three-rail track.
2003
The renovated Priesterhäuser open their doors as a museum of the city's history.
2004
The August Horch Museum is inaugurated at the birthplace of Audi.
2014
The Max Pechstein Museum is opened in the KUNSTSAMMLUNGEN.
2017
The VW Group decides to develop the Zwickau location into the largest European e-mobility competence centre.