The community consists of Breitenbrunn with Breitenhof, Carolathal, Halbemeile and Rabenberg, Antonsthal with Antonshöhe, Erlabrunn, Steinheidel and Fällbach as well as Rittersgrün and Tellerhäuser.
Breitenbrunn lies on a mountain ridge stretching from the Schwarzwasser Valley on east. It is surrounded by, among other mountains, the Rabenberg and the Sauberg.
History
As the highest village in the lordly domain of Schwarzenberg, Breitenbrunn was likely founded only in the 13th century. With the help of vast meadows and sites it can be ascertained that no more than ten families settled here at first. The village had its first documentary mention as “breitinprun” in 1380 in a chronicle of the mountain counts of Leisnig when the mining rights for a tin mine had just been granted. Even before Breitenbrunn’s founding there was over the site of the later settlement a wall with a watchtower, a moat and a small outer defence to defend the Schwarzenberg lordly domain at its southernmost point. Since a spring was found within the moat, the moat was called a “broad spring”, or breiten Brunnen in German, and soon this description was taken up as the place’s name. Of special historic importance is the Breitenbrunn Papermill found in the town, from which, among others, Johann Sebastian Bach got his notepaper.
Religion
In Catholic times, Breitenbrunn first belonged to the Parish of Schwarzenberg. Later, a chapel consecrated to Saint Peter was built, making Breitenbrunn into a Schwarzenberg branch parish. Even after the Reformation, a dependent relationship was maintained for the time being. Now, however, Breitenbrunn was a daughter community of the newly established parish of Grünstädtel. The village at last got its ecclesiastical independence in 1559, in which same year St. Christopher’s Church was built. Chosen as the location was the village’s upper end to make the walk for churchgoers from the neighbouring, parochially united community of Rittersgrün somewhat easier, especially in the winter months. Today, alongside the Evangelical Lutheran community of St. Christopher is an Evangelical Methodist community.
Population development
Politics
Mayor
The community’s mayor Ralf Fischer, born in 1955, was elected in the latest mayoral contest on 10 June 2001 with 98.4% of all the votes. The other 1.6% was shared by other candidates who each received one vote.
“Himmelswiese” natural monument near the constituent community of Halbemeile
Preißhausbuche, a famous beech tree
Education
Breitenbrunn is also known for its Staatliche Studienakademie Breitenbrunn. Here roughly 300 students are taught by the dual principle in the fields of tourism economics, industry and welfare.
Sport
Rabenberg Sport and Education Centre
Regular events
Church consecration festival in the upper village on the last weekend of August
