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In Bad Steben, the topics of mining and geology are unavoidable. Gold was panned west of the spa town, and iron ore was mined around Bad Steben until 1858. The "Geology and Mining" educational trail from Bad Steben to Blechschmidtenhammer, with 17 display panels, vividly illustrates the more than 1,000-year history of mining in the region. In 1793, Alexander von Humboldt founded the "Bergschule zu Steben" (Mining School of Steben) in Bad Steben, the world's first vocational school for miners. A mine railway in the park opposite the spa building commemorates the coal and fluorspar mining, which ended in 1968.

The Prince Regent Luitpold Monument in the church park was restored in 2020. Grateful, citizens dedicated this memorial to the Bavarian ruler and patron of Bad Steben on August 10, 1913. During his reign, the spa facilities were expanded and the spa gardens were created.

This oak tree was planted in 1871 to mark the founding of the German Empire.

The Luther Church in Bad Steben was an architectural gem at the time of its construction. The material it was built from was only used for the second time in a church in Germany during its construction: reinforced concrete. With its slate slabs on the exterior surfaces, the red-tiled roofs, and the stone-decorated corners of the facade, the design reflects the Heimatstil (local style) that emerged in the 1870s. Its consecration took place on October 9, 1910, and it received its name even later.

The spa gardens in Bad Steben were created to offer both guests and locals a chance to escape from everyday life and enjoy the magnificent floral displays and the splashing fountains. Few people know that many years ago, there was a mine right next to the spa square. If you look closely, you can still see traces of the past in the ground. Back then, iron and copper were extracted from the depths using the simplest of means.

I was particularly fascinated by the Art Nouveau choir room.

You have to enjoy this view.

The cemetery chapel also marks the start of the panoramic cycle path from Langenbach to Bad Steben. There is a separate bell tower in the cemetery. The chapel stands out due to its completely dark facade made of slate panels.