The German-Czech mountain region Erzgebirge / Krušnohoří has done it: it’s been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Our warm congratulations! | DW Travel

The Erzgebirge mountains in Germany are the birthplace of the first Christmas smokers or Räuchermänner. When mining declined in the late 1700s and early 1800s, families in the region turned to woodcarving to support themselves. At the same time, incense had long been used in German homes during Advent and Christmas as a sign of blessing and protection. With that tradition already in place, artisans began creating hollow wooden figures that could hold a small incense cone inside. When the incense