Meissen

 With a history dating back more than a thousand years, Meissen has long been known as the "cradle" of Saxony. That the town is worthy of such a name is clearly seen in its buildings - records of stone which bear witness to the different epochs of not only Saxon history but also the history of the Holy Roman Empire with Germany at its centre.This is manifest, for example, in the mighty ensemble of Albrechtsburg Castle and Meissen Cathedral on the hill above the town. With the romantic silhouette of the roofs of the Old Town below it, the hill offers a magnificent panorama and has become a favourite subject for photographers from the banks of the Elbe. Long ago, in the Middle Ages, the Wettin Princes became the margraves of Meissen, thus marking the beginning of Saxon history. Albrechtsburg Castle is regarded as being the first castle to be used a royal residence in the Germanspeaking world; built between 1472 and 1525, it is a fine example of late Gothic style. Today the castle, the former residence of the House of Wettin, is a museum which is just as popular with visitors as the cathedral, whose architecture is pure Gothic and whose Princes`Chapel is one of the most famous burial places of the Wettin family. Equally imposing is the view from the 57-metre high tower of the Frauenkirche ( Church of Our Lady ), situated in the old market-place.From here, the visitor will be tempted to take a leisurely stroll through the narrow medieval streets, with their quiet squares and steep flights of steps, past century -old patrician houses which today accomodate small shops, cafes and wine cellars.

Meissen is famous for the manufacture of [|porcelain], based on extensive local deposits of china clay ([|kaolin]) and potter's clay (potter's earth). [|Meissen porcelain] was the first high quality porcelain to be produced outside of [|the Orient]. The first European porcelain was manufactured in Meissen in 1710, when the Royal Porcelain Factory was opened in the Albrechtsburg. In 1861, it was moved to the //Triebisch// river valley of Meissen, where the porcelain factory can still be found today. Along with porcelain, other ceramics are also manufactured.

Main sights
Cathedral

The [|Albrechtsburg], the former residence of the [|House of Wettin], is regarded as being the first castle to be used as a royal residence in the German-speaking world.[//[|citation needed]//] Built between 1472 and 1525, it is a fine example of late Gothic style. It was redecorated in the 19th century with a range of murals depicting Saxon history. Today the castle is a museum. Nearby is the 13th-century Gothic Meissen Cathedral (//Meißner Dom//), whose chapel is one of the most famous burial places of the Wettin family. The hill on which the castle and the cathedral are built offers a view over the roofs of the old town. Meissen's historical district is located mostly around the market at the foot of the castle hill. It contains many buildings of [|Renaissance architecture]. Also imposing is the view from the 57 metre high tower of the //Frauenkirche// (Church of Our Lady), situated in the old market-place. This church, not to be confused with the [|Dresden Frauenkirche], was first mentioned in a 1205 deed issued by Bishop Dietrich II and after a blaze about 1450 rebuilt in the [|Late Gothic] style of a [|hall church]. Its tower hosts the world's first porcelain carillon, manufactured in 1929 on the occasion of the town's 1000-years-jubilee. Another popular tourist sight is the world-famous [|Meissen porcelain] factory. From spring to autumn, several festivals take place in Meissen, such as the [|pottery] market or the //Weinfest//, which celebrates the [|wine] harvest. Meissen wine is produced at the [|vineyards] in the river valley (//Elbtal//) around the town, part of the [|Saxonian wine region], one of the northernmost in Europe.