Erzgebirgskunst Original | DREGENO Fachgeschäft - Top 10 Christmas Decoration

Erzgebirgskunst Original in Sophienstraße is one of eleven specialist shops of DREGENO Seiffen eG, a cooperative of around 130 artisan workshops from the Ore Mountains. Only originals are sold: nutcrackers from approx. 27.50 Euros, plus smokers, candle arches (Schwibbögen), and pyramids. For Christmas decorations in Berlin, this is the address for turned wooden art.

Erzgebirgskunst Original in Sophienstraße: Christmas Decorations in Berlin-Mitte

Erzgebirgskunst Original is located at Sophienstraße 9 in Mitte, one of the oldest streets in the Spandauer Vorstadt district. It runs between Hamburger Straße and Rosenthaler Straße and has borne its name since the early 19th century after the Prussian Queen Sophie Luise. The buildings are predominantly from the 18th century, and from the street, passages lead to the Hackesche Höfe, the Sophie-Gips-Höfe, and the courtyard of the Sophienkirche.

Hackescher Markt S-Bahn station is just a few steps away; from Alexanderplatz, it’s about a five-minute walk via Rochstraße. The shop is one of eleven specialist shops of DREGENO Seiffen eG and, according to its own statements, exclusively sells originals from the Ore Mountains. It is also a member of the specialist trade association Erzgebirgische Volkskunst, which guarantees this precise origin. The shop itself is lovingly furnished according to its own description, and all products come from traditional manufacturers in the region.

Nutcrackers, Smokers, and Candle Arches from Seiffen

Behind the assortment stands a cooperative with a long history. In 1919, wood turners and toy makers from the Ore Mountains joined forces to be stronger together. Today, DREGENO Seiffen eG unites around 130 member businesses, employs about 90 staff, and describes itself as the largest sales platform for Ore Mountain craftsmanship. Its headquarters are located in the toy village of Kurort Seiffen, where a 2,000 square meter warehouse holds more than 10,000 Ore Mountain products worth around 1.5 million Euros.

On the shelves of Erzgebirgskunst Original are handmade nutcrackers, smokers, candle arches, and Christmas pyramids, as well as angels and miners, delicate wooden chip trees, light arches, miniatures, and wooden toys. Much of it is turned and hand-painted in the small workshops of the member businesses, which is why figures of the same type differ in style and painting. Those who wish to create their own will also find craft sets, and the assortment extends beyond Christmas to Easter and spring figures. A nutcracker starts at around 27.50 Euros, a smoker at about 38.50 Euros.