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Germany - Meissen
Albrechtsburg - Meissen
Porcelain - Cathedral
~ sights, history and culture
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 The
more than 1000 years old residence Meissen is situated at the Elbe river
about 25 km northwest of Dresden. The townscape is dominated by
the gorgeous ensemble of the Albrechtsburg and the adjacent cathedral on
the castle hill, which presents a picturesque sight, especially
when approaching from the river side.
This charming city is known, above all, for the manufacture of the
famous
Meissen porcelain,,
the cradle of which was the Albrechtsburg., where
it was produced for more than 150 years, before the manufacture moved to
its new
home in downtown.
The city of Meissen hosts a multitude of further cultural-historical
treasures and tourist attractions, such as the Church of our Ladies, the
old town hall and other well preserved historic buildings. Beyond that
visitors can enjoy enchanting ancient taverns and restaurants, which give
the city an additional charm.
From the castle hill one can enjoy spectacular views over the city
and the river plains.
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Albrechtsburg castle
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Albrechtsburg and Cathedral
The city's history began, when king Heinrich
I in 929 founded the fortress „Misnia“ on the castle hill high above the
Elbe river, named after a nearby creek. From 968 on Meissen became the
see of the newly created Bishopric of Meissen as well as the residence
of the Margraves of Meissen, afterwards mainly from the House of Wettin.
The former market settlement at the foot of the fortress soon developed
into a town (town charter 1332), eventually becoming one of the most important
cities in the country and the cradle of Saxony.
The building of the present castle, Albrechtsburg, was begun in 1471
in Late Gothic
style and is considered to be the first construction of a castle in
German history.
 The
construction of the adjacent Gothic cathedral was started in 1260. In 1425
the Prince's Chapel was added as the burial place of the House of Wettin.
The twin steeples however were not attached until 1909. In 1581 the Meissen
diocese was dissolved during the Protestant Reformation. Since 1979 the
cathedral has belonged to the diocese Dresden-Meißen.
Both, the Albrechtsburg as well as the cathedral,
have been elaborately restored and amaze the visitor by their magnificence
and grandeur.
The Albrechtsburg is now a museum, presenting
itself in royal splendour and providing the perfect frame for the exhibited
masterpieces of Meissen porcelain. |
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Meissen Porcelain
In 2010 the Meissen porcelain factory celebrated its 300th anniversary
of founding
In 1710 King Augustust the Strong established
the first European hard-paste porcelain factory at Castle Albrechtsburg,
after
the mathematician und physicist Ehrenfried Walther Graf von Tschirnhaus
and the alchemist Johann Friedrich Boettger in 1708 had succeeded in manufacturing
the first white European porcelain . The invention of the "White Gold"
was of great significance, in particular with regard to the Chinese monopoly
in this market.
Meissen porcelain was produced at the Albrechtsburg until the manufacture
in 1863 moved to its present location at the Talstrasse in the very heart
of the city. The exhibition hall presents a superb reflection on three
centuries of porcelain manufactured by hand, including the porcelain made
for Catherine the Great of Russia, the famous 3,5 m high (11,5 ft) centrepiece
for the dining table of King Augustus III, as well as contemporary porcelain
art.
Most interesting are also the demonstration workshops, where one can
watch, how Meissen porcelain is designed and manufactured
by hand, still today. Its signature logo, the crossed swords, was
introduced in 1720 to protect its production; it is one of the oldest trademarks
in existence. |
Exhibition at the Albrechtsburg on occasion
of the 300th anniversary
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Welcome
to Meissen
Meissen
Porcelain - Handicraft Demonstration
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