Famed for its manufacture of porcelain, Meissen lies on the banks of the Elbe River in the German state of Saxony. It holds strong ties to the House of Wettin, one of Europe’s oldest dynasties, which was responsible for building the city’s luxurious Albrechtsburg.
Things to do in Meissen
Rising atop a hill overlooking the Elbe River is the Albrechtsburg, which is one of the oldest castle complexes in Germany. It was constructed in the late 15th century and once housed Europe’s first porcelain manufactory. Nicknamed the “Cradle of Saxony”, it houses beautifully restored Gothic Revival murals and interactive exhibits that bring the region’s history to life.
Standing adjacent to the Albrechtsburg is the Meissen Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece that dates back to 1260. Its 81-metre-high spires dominate the city skyline and were designed by Carl Schäfer in the early 20th century. Step inside to marvel at the 13th-century rood screen and the carved choir stalls, as well as the altar triptych by Lucas Cranach the Elder.
No visit to Meissen is complete without seeing its Porcelain Manufactory, which was founded in the early 18th century at the request of Augustus the Strong. Over time, it garnered a reputation for its sculptural works, figurines and table pieces made with fine craftsmanship and technical expertise. Listen to the workshop audio explaining how each piece is hand-painted and glazed and see some of the world’s finest porcelain objects in the Neoclassical-style exhibition hall.
Getting around Meissen
Meissen is around 35 minutes’ drive from Dresden and 25 minutes from Dresden Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Regular trains connect to the Meissen and Meissen Altstadt railway stations and buses travel throughout the city. The centre of Meissen can easily be explored on foot.