Meissen

Meissen (Meißen) istown onriver Elbe inBundesland (Federal State)Saxony insouthern parteastern Germany.
Population: 30,000.

Tablecontents

1 History 2 Tourism 3 See also 4 External link

History

In 929 king Henry I foundedstronghold onhill that iscentertodays old town. The castle, called Albrechtsburg, wasorigin ofmark Meissen, which later becameelectorate Saxonythenkingdom Saxony. Its territory became what isfree stateSaxony today.

In 963diocese Meissen - Dresden was founded, so that Meissen becameseat ofbishop.

Around 1000 Meissen was granted Marktrecht,privilegehold its own markets,in 1150was officially documented as town (Stadt).

The construction ofcathedral was started1260 onsame hill ascastle. This createdlackspace duewhichcathedralone ofsmallest cathedralsEurope. The cathedralalso known as being one ofmost pure examplesgothic architecture.

The first European porcelain was manufacturedMeissen 1710 andRoyal-Polish-Electoral-Saxonian Porcelain Manufactory was opened inAlbrechtsburg-castle. Later,1861,was moved inTriebisch valleyMeissen, wherePorcelain ManufactoryMeissen can still be found today. Todaymanufacturesworld-famous Meissen porcelainispopular sightvisitors from all overworld.

Tourism

Tourism ismajor economic forceMeissen today.
Someits attractions are:

• Historical old town: Itsarea ofcity located mostly aroundmarket atfoot ofcastle's hill. Its narrow serpentine streets makepicturesque scenery, complemented by several remarkable Renaissance buildings.
• Porcelain Manufactory: Visitors can watch howMeissen porcelainmanufactured, or havelook atexhibition hall which displays around 3000 selected items, historicalmodern.
• AlbrechtsburgCathedral: The hill on whichcastle andcathedralbuilt offersview overred brick roofs ofold town.
• Marketsfestivals: From springfall, several festivals take placeMeissen,examplepottery market orWeinfest, which celebrateswine harvest.
• Wine: Meissen wineproduced atvineyards inriver valley aroundtownstoredhistorical wine cellars.

See also

RulersSaxony

External link

• Forcity's official website (in German), see http://www.stadt-meissen.de/
• Forofficial website ofPorcelain manufactury see http://www.meissen.de/engl/