Disclaimer: This put up comprises affiliate hyperlinks. For those who click on on one and make a purchase order, I’d make a little bit additional spending cash, at no additional value to you. As all the time, all opinions are my very own and these merchandise/companies have been discovered helpful throughout our travels and are available extremely really helpful to you from yours actually!
Meissen has traditionally been synonymous with porcelain. Since 1710, Meissen has been residence to the most important manufacturing of china porcelain, exterior of China and has been drawing in trickles of vacationers. Come uncover Meissen to your self and see why this nonetheless comparatively unparalleled, charming little city needs to be in your subsequent German journey itinerary!
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I not know when or the place I first found Meissen (Meißen) and knew instantly I needed to go. It was in all probability both an Instagram put up or a Pinterest pin. Both manner, this journey has been years within the making. I knew Meissen was simply the sort of city I needed to go to, small, comparatively unparalleled and actually one in all Germany’s finest saved secrets and techniques.
I feel now we have managed to e-book this journey a minimum of 3 instances, and but we all the time have the worst luck and have wanted to cancel. Lastly, now we have made the journey particularly since we had additional motivation: our lodge was gifted to us as a birthday current from a member of the family.
All I do know now, Meissen rapidly shot as much as one in all my Prime 10 cities in Germany! We had a good time wandering round, porcelain window buying, consuming a few of the finest meals and being completely amazed by the element within the porcelain manufacturing unit!
I knew that after we make a weekend journey to Meissen, it will even be paired with just a few simple day journeys from Meissen as nicely. We additionally headed to the Moritzburg Fort, did a little bit of climbing across the Bastei Bridge within the Saxon Switzerland Nationwide Park and visited two wineries in Saxony – Weingut Schloss Proschwitz and Schloss Wackerbarth. We needed to squeeze a fast journey into Dresden having principally seen it for the Dresden Christmas Market and eager to discover a bit extra, however we didn’t have sufficient time.
The place is Meissen?
Positioned within the state of Saxony, in Japanese Germany, Meissen is simply 25km from Dresden, straddling either side of the picturesque Elbe River. Having beforehand been beneath the management of the previous GDR, if Saxony’s largest cities, comparable to Dresden, Leipzig and Chemnitz had been stifled beneath oppression, then Meissen didn’t have any probability.
Historical past of Meissen
Nicknamed the “Cradle of Saxony” as a result of it’s believed that Meissen was the birthplace of Saxony as a result of truth it’s residence to the oldest citadel within the state, it surprisingly by no means grew to become a full-flown metropolis and has retained it’s small city allure, making it among the best cities to go to in Saxony.
Meissen developed from s Slavic village and was based in 929 as a German city by King Henry the Fowler. A number of monasteries had been ultimately constructed between 1205 and 1274, and in 1250, development started on what would turn into Saxony’s first citadel, the Albrechteberg. Earlier than changing into residence to its world well-known porcelain, Meissen produced principally fabric, nonetheless by the top of the Thirty Years’ Battle, the financial scenario in Meissen was extreme. In 1710, Augustus the Sturdy based Europe’s first porcelain manufactory, respiratory life again into Meissen. It was one in all many aggressive porcelain factories that sprung up all through Europe, competing towards Sèvres Manufactory Works in Paris and Derby Porcelain Works in England.
👉🏼‼️ For those who’re serious about visiting, I extremely advocate studying this nice novel, The Blue by Nancy Bilyeau, which focuses on the aggressive nature of the porcelain trade between Meissen, Sevres and Derby! I couldn’t put it down!
Quick ahead to the early twentieth century, and like the remainder of East Germany, struggled to outlive beneath the oppression of the Nazis beneath the Nationwide Socialist regime after which once more beneath the management of the previous USSR. Like Dresden, Meissen was additionally closely broken and whereas it was rebuilt beneath the care of the Russians, there was no want or need to broaden the city.
After the reunification of Germany on October 3, 1990, many cities in Japanese Germany, Meissen started cautious renovations, thus preserving it’s old-world allure, making it at present among the best day journeys from Dresden!
Find out how to Get to Meissen
Find out how to get to Meissen by practice:
Seize my information to utilizing the DeutscheBahn Trains and obtain the DeutscheBahn App in your cellphone!
From Dresden to Meissen by practice takes roughly 34 minutes from the Dresden Central Station (HBF) to the Meissen Altstadt with the S-Bahn which is able to value about 6,80€ per grownup, a technique. The S1 comes each half-hour and most well-liked stops are Meissen or Meissen Altstadt. For sightseeing functions, it’s finest to get off on the Meissen Altstadt station because it’s extra immediately positioned on the town.
From Leizpig to Meissen by practice takes roughly 1 hr 34 minutes, with a cease from the Leipzig Essential Station (HBF) to Meissen Altstadt for about 16-24€.
Attending to Meissen from Dresden by boat:
Take a roundtrip boat tour from Dresden to Meissen on an Elbe River Cruise. Alongside the way in which, you’ll uncover the Saxon wine route alongside the Elbe earlier than having the possibility to discover the city and a return journey again to Dresden.
Getting Round Meissen
Driving in Meissen: Earlier than driving into Meissen, remember that many main cities in Germany now require a inexperienced “Umweltplakette” (Atmosphere sticker) in all entrance home windows of automobiles which have been examined to be environmentally pleasant. If you’re discovered driving in Inexperienced Zones with out a sticker, you can be pressured to pay a effective.
Parking in Meissen: There are lots of parking garages, parking heaps or streets designated for parking positioned in and across the Meissen Previous City. The most effective parking space is on Meisastrasse, the place there’s a panoramic elevator elevate (Domaufzug) which is able to take you as much as the Domplatz on high of Fort Hill. It is a excellent spot to start your sightseeing in Meissen! There’s a small payment to make use of the elevator.
Strolling in Meissen: Meissen is straightforward to discover by foot, nonetheless, being a little bit of a hilly city means there are many staircases all through the city. Meissen is split into higher and decrease Meissen. The higher portion of Meissen consists of Fort Hill the place the Albrechtsburg is, in addition to Domplatz. The remainder of the Meissen historic middle is positioned within the decrease portion, accessible through the citadel stairs (Schlossstufen) or through the tunnel (Amtstufen). From the citadel to the Previous City metropolis middle, it’s a straightforward stroll downhill, alongside the Burgstrasse, passing cute alleys and a small portion of vineyards.
Guided Excursions in Meissen
More often than not after we go to a brand new metropolis, I’ve completed all of the analysis beforehand, we’ve studied the maps and know the place we wish to go and the essential thought of getting round.
Make sure you verify the Metropolis of Meissen Vacationer web site for data on guided excursions for Meissen in a wide range of themes, which all the time begin from the Vacationer Data middle within the Essential Sq..
Guided strolling excursions of Meissen are solely on Saturdays at 11am in February, March, November and December. From April to October, the excursions are each day at 11am, in addition to at 2pm on Saturdays. Excursions are roughly 1.5 hours and begin in the primary sq. and end on the citadel/cathedral.
Costs : €9.50 adults | €7.00 lowered (pupils, college students and disabled individuals) | €4.00 kids (6 – 16 years) | €22.00 household ticket
Sights to See in Meissen
UPPER MEISSEN
Tickets to the Albrechtsburg should be booked upfront throughout excessive season, plus an extra cost for pictures permission for €2. Get the Mixture ticket (for particular person viewing) for each the Albrechtsburg Fort & the Meissen Cathedral! €16.50 / lowered €14.00 / household ticket €39.00 for 11:30am. With the acquisition of your ticket to Albrechtsburg, merely present your ticket at Schloss Moritzburg for a lowered entry.
Making it’s debut over a thousand years in the past as Heinrich I’s “Misni” citadel, the Albrechtsburg Fort, as it’s recognized at present, is perched atop a defensive bluff overlooking the Elbe River. As Germany’s first residential palace, it was commissioned in 1471 and 1524 as an emblem of Saxon energy by two brothers. each prince electors and was accomplished in 1520 who dominated over Saxony collectively.
Whereas its unique intention was for use as a consultant administrative seat and a residential palace slightly than as a defensive fort, it was by no means used for its unique function as a result of the brothers squabbled over the whole lot and the Wettin territory was divided between the brothers. The citadel wouldn’t be used actively once more till 1710 beneath Augustus the Sturdy, utilizing it as Europe’s first porcelain producer with the invention of “white gold”.
At this time, the Meissen Fort is among the most lovely castles in Germany, particularly internally! Whereas the surface it not overly spectacular, the inside is a feat of its personal. The staircase particularly was thought of an architectural masterpiece on the time of its development. The inside craftmanship will shock and awe you, transporting you again to the Center Ages with its distinctive arched ceilings.
For 153 years, the citadel could be used as a manufactory for porcelain, till 1863 when the manufacturing was lastly eliminated. In depth injury was completed to the interiors throughout that timeframe, nonetheless it has been fastidiously renovated.
Tickets should be booked upfront throughout excessive season! Guided excursions are at each day at 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30 and a couple of:30.
The most effective time to go to the Meissen Cathedral is throughout their organ service from 12-12.30pm (Charge: €3) Meissen Cathedral is open to the general public from 10am – 5:30pm and is not used for church companies for a nominal entry payment.
A steeple tour can also be obtainable from April to October, each day from 1-4pm by appointment.
For over a thousand years, the Meissen Cathedral (Meissen Dom), also referred to as the Church of St John and St Donatus, has being one of many main landmarks in Meissen. The primary know chapel right here dates again to 968 earlier than it grew to become too small to deal with the rising inhabitants of Meissen! Finally in 1250, the development of a bigger cathedral began to take form. The identical man who accomplished development on the Albrechtsburg additionally helped construct the Meissen Cathedral which merges into each other. The towers of the cathedral had been solely added within the 1900s and is at present a masterpiece of Gothic structure.
There are some superb views over Meissen to be loved from one in all a number of cafes or from a terrace beside the Dom (Cathedral). You’ll be stunned to see that there are quite a few vineyards scattered all through Meissen.
At one level, the Torhaus was an important constructing in Meissen, because it was the one entry level to succeed in the Albrechtsburg Fort. Over the centuries, many well-known German artists have lived right here, together with grasp sculptor Christian H. Kaendler and Romantic painter Ludwig Richter.
Johann Friedrich Böttger was a German alchemist who’s credited with being the primary European to find the key of the creation of porcelain 1708. King Frederick I of Prussia established the primary European porcelain manufactory and put Böttger into “protecting custody” and lived within the Torhaus for his abilities and experiments.
Take into account lunch on the Domkeller for the most effective views over Meissen and can also be the oldest restaurant in Meissen, relationship again to 1270 and positively has that “Gemütlichkeit” vibe I all the time search for in conventional German eating places. Right here, conventional Saxonian dishes are served up, however should you’ve completed a variety of travelling, you’ll see some similarities to meals within the Czech Republic in addition to down into Bavaria with potato dumplings with a beer goulash, pork dishes with a beer sauce and extra!
Throughout my time in Meissen, I personally centered on attempting as many native wines from Meissen and Saxony as I may, understanding that many are rarities. Right here, I loved a glass of Goldriesling, one other variation of the normal Riesling selection that was crossed with one other, unknown grape selection. I discovered it far more satisfying and fewer acidic than a traditional glass of German Riesling.
LOWER MEISSEN
Whereas crucial of Meissen’s foremost sights are positioned on the higher portion of Meissen, the decrease portion of Meissen can also be positively price strolling by. The Meissen Altstadt (Previous City) is extremely lovely with an array of colourful homes, cobble stoned streets, quaint cafes and eating places which jogs my memory a variety of Regensburg.
A fast take a look at a map of Meissen’s historic metropolis middle seems extra like a maze of winding streets and alleys, with no actual clear structure. Upon descending down from the Domplatz through the Schlossstufen, should you merely observe the Burgstrasse it is going to lead you on to the Meissen Markt (Essential Sq.).
Meissen’s Previous City Corridor might be discovered immediately within the Essential Sq., referred to as the Markt. Designed within the Late Gothic fashion between 1470 and 1486, it’s not precisely one of the vital lovely metropolis halls in Germany, it’s nonetheless price a look as you’re strolling round the primary sq., which is dominated principally by the Frauenkirche.
Positioned immediately in Meissen’s Essential Sq., the Frauenkirche is one other of Meissen’s key landmarks relationship again to 1205. The Frauenkirche is a Protestant church and developed over 800+ years of development. Like many church towers in Europe, you might climb up its tower, all 193 steps, to the tip of the spire for some unimaginable views overlooking Meissen. The church bells had been in-built 1929 and all 37 bells are made out of native Meissen porcelain, which ring at common intervals all through the day for a complete of 6 songs.
- 06.30 a.m. – “Get up, name and the voice”
- 08.30 a.m. – “Nice God, we reward you”
- 11.30 a.m. – “The heavens glorify everlasting honor”.
- 14.30 hrs – “We come to wish”.
- 17.30 hrs – “A powerful citadel is our god
- 20.30 – “Reward the Lord
Tickets should be booked upfront throughout excessive season in any other case, you should purchase your ticket on the door!
Bringing to life the world-famous Meissen porcelain, you possibly can uncover Europe’s first porcelain manufactory within the Home of Meissen, also referred to as the Meissen Porcelain Manufacturing facility. Right here, there are demonstration workshops, showrooms with art work from the previous and current, in addition to a boutique store. After you delve into the historical past of the making of porcelain, get pleasure from a few of the delicacies on supply from the Café & Restaurant Meissen – which can even be served on distinctive Meissen Porcelain.
For over 300 years, prime quality craftmanship has gone into making pure “white gold”. At its peak through the seventeenth century, European the Aristocracy had been obsessive about the porcelain craze, calling it the Porcelain Illness.
The secrets and techniques of the primary European Porcelain Manufactory had been closely guarded, however ultimately, dozens of porcelain manufactories cropped up throughout Europe, particularly one story of an worker who stole secrets and techniques and fled to Vienna and have become a competitor, however at present, the brand of the Crossed Swords point out distinctive Meissen porcelain and can also be one of many oldest and constantly used emblems to this very day!
Although I used to be born a bull in a china store and break issues far simpler than doable, I’m like a moth to the flame. I problem myself to be additional vigilant in a porcelain manufacturing unit, however I like the fragile issues in life, comparable to lace from Plauen or Bruges, glass from the Bavarian Forest, and now porcelain from Meissen. I really like something that jogs my memory of old-world allure and sooner or later I plan to be a little bit outdated woman with tons of lace and porcelain in my home. Oh wait, I already am.
Upon entry to the museum, the very very first thing that may catch your eye, the the fragile, life-sized statue of the Saxonia, the “Saxon Statue of Liberty”, utterly handmade from 8,000 Meissen porcelain blossoms. She is the world’s largest, freestanding porcelain sculpture on this planet and was commissioned to have a good time the 25 years of Germany’s Reunification.
On show on the Meissen Metropolis Museum, positioned at Heinrichsplatz, is the historical past of Saxony’s oldest city with historic fashions displaying the expansion of Meissen, in addition to reveals on native viticulture. The museum is housed in a former Franconian monastery. Most apparently of all, it’s residence to the largest purple wine press in Germany, relationship again to 1788, an emblem of the wine making historical past on this area.
The place to Eat in Meissen:
One among our favourite issues to do on each trip is to discover a native delicacy. In Meissen, that’s a Fummel which could presumably be the strangest delicacy now we have but discovered. It’s technically a balloon sized puffed pastry of wafer skinny dough with a dusting of sugar.
What’s extra thrilling is that this specific native delicacy comes with a historical past:
It’s believed that in 1747, Augustus the Sturdy commissioned native Meissen bakers to make this very fragile and distinctive pastry for his couriers to hold. The couriers traveled frequently between Dresden and Meissen and generally different states by horseback, however they might usually take a break at one of many many inns in Meissen and get drunk. The elector was aggravated that he all the time needed to wait so lengthy, so he commissioned these fragile balloon formed pastry and one was given to every rider who took a break in one of many inns and was required to current the Fummel intact as quickly as he arrived at court docket as a way of stopping them from getting drunk and delaying his correspondences. At this time, the purpose of buying one is to not eat it, however to move it residence as safely as doable! Problem accepted!
The Meissen Ratskeller, positioned immediately within the Meissen Altstadt Marktplatz, as a part of the Metropolis Corridor. Every time consuming on the “Ratskeller” in any city, you might be certain of getting a few of the finest meals on the town and we weren’t let down right here. I loved a superb fashionable Cordon Bleu, filled with my favourite cheese, Bergkäse and Chorizo!
Right here I loved an important glass of wine, Traminer. I by no means knew that Traminer was it’s personal grape selection, one in all two grape varieties present in Gewürtztraminer, which I’ve discovered to be overly lychee. Traminer, because it’s personal wine, uncommon to return by and produced on this area, was surprisingly satisfying and simpler to drink.
Instantly reverse the Meissen Frauenkirche, throughout the Marktplatz from the Rathauskeller is Schwerter Schankhaus, one other scrumptious restaurant, serving each conventional meals, wine and beer from the area. We ate right here on our first night and labored our manner by the beer and wine menu.
Wine Tasting in Meissen
Alongside the banks of the Elbe river and in and round Meissen are sun-drenched northern slopes adequate for viticulture, at this slightly excessive latitude. A number of the most typical grape varieties produced in Saxony embody Müller-Thurgau (aka Rivaner), Muscat, Riesling and Weisserburgunder (Pinot Blanc).
Whereas in Meissen, there are Weinstube everywhere in the city the place you possibly can pattern a few of the native wines from Meissen, however one of the vital well-liked wine bars on the town is Der Weinladen at Burgstrasse 17.
In case you have extra time, then a go to to the Schloss Proschwitz, simply on the outskirts of Meissen. The citadel belonged to the household Prince of Lippe, one of many ruling homes in Europe, till the home was taken in 1945 by the Communists with out compensation. Right here, vineyards have been cultivated for over 850 years and it wasn’t till 1990, after the reunification of Germany, that the household has been in a position to repurchase little by little of their household property, bringing life again to Saxony’s oldest vineyard.
Meissen by Evening
Having visited in October for our anniversary, peak vacationer season is already scaling down so usually we felt like we had the city to ourselves and the locals. Many locals might be discovered within the evenings at one of many winebars on the town, sitting exterior, having fun with the final heat summer time autumn nights. We had just a few glasses of wine and strolled the streets earlier than strolling again to our lodge. It was the right night.
The place to Keep in Meissen
Dorint Parkhotel Meißen ⭐⭐⭐⭐– Not removed from the Meissen metropolis middle, this historic and tremendous stylish lodge provides a wellness spa and sits alongside the banks of the Elbe River with gorgeous views of the Albrechtsburg Fort and Meissen Cathedral. Better of all, it’s a pet pleasant lodge! 🐾
The rooms had been fantastically embellished and I now have new residence decor concepts. we totally loved the breakfast lounge, positioned within the historic a part of the lodge, designed in a really Victorian fashion structure with nice views of the river and the Albrechtsburg reverse the lodge. Breakfast itself was a buffet however among the best lodge breakfasts we’ve ever had.
Although it’s reverse the Previous City, it’s only a 5-10 minute stroll throughout the river, which provides extra gorgeous views of the city.
Further Day Journeys from Meissen
There are a number of nice locations to go to in Northern Germany that aren’t removed from Meissen that are simply reachable by automobile or practice.
For those who plan on doing a little in depth touring in Saxony, then I’d recommend investing within the schloesserlandCARD, and use the cardboard at ticket places of work, on-line or by the app, saving you cash on castles in Saxony. With the acquisition of a second card, you’ll save an extra 25%!
Inside Germany, only a mere two hours away are the cities of Wernigerode, Goslar and Quedlinburg, which like Meissen, underwent in depth renovations after the reunification of Germany.
Meissen can also be a straightforward weekend journey from Prague, Czech Republic because it’s simply throughout the border and a brief 3 hour practice journey away! Different nice cities not removed from Meissen additionally embody Wroclaw and Poznan, Poland, each of that are only a 4 hour drive away from Meissen!
Wernigerode – The Coronary heart of the Harz
Goslar – A Quintessential German City
Quedlinburg – A Medieval Half-Timbered City within the Harz
For those who’re serious about visiting Germany and are searching for extra data, I extremely advocate utilizing the DK Eyewitness Journey Information! With out these guides, I’d be misplaced! That is my journey Bible!
Disclaimer: This put up comprises affiliate hyperlinks. For those who click on on one and make a purchase order, I’d make a little bit additional spending cash, at no additional value to you. As all the time, all opinions are my very own and these merchandise/companies have been discovered helpful throughout our travels and are available extremely really helpful to you from yours actually!