Summary of Highlights in Meissen:
As one approaches the city of Meissen in Saxony, the first sight is the Burgberg, which rises prominently over the Elbe River. Known as castle hill, the Burgberg was the location where its founder, Henry the Fowler, established a fortress against the Slavs during the 10th century.
Today, the hill is home to a magnificent Gothic cathedral and the Albrechtsburg, a palace dating back to the 15th century. Albrechtsburg, constructed for the ruling House of Wettin, was historically the first noble estate in Germany designed prioritizing luxury and aesthetics over military function.
The term “Meissen” is also synonymous with high-quality hard-paste porcelain, produced in the area before any other place in Europe, maintaining a proud legacy of more than 300 years.
Let’s delve into the best activities to partake in while visiting Meissen:
1. Albrechtsburg
A remarkable example of Late Gothic architecture, Albrechtsburg forms part of Meissen’s hilltop ensemble of medieval structures and is recognized as Germany’s oldest “Schloss”, akin to a château.
The palace was established in the latter half of the 15th century at a site that had been fortified since the 900s.
During this period, the electors of Saxony, Ernest and Albert (Albrecht) of Wettin, played a pivotal role in its development.
No other noble residence from the era displays such sophistication, with features ranging from cellular vaulting to arched curtain windows and a distinctive spiral staircase tower embellishing the façade.
By the 18th century, Albrechtsburg fell out of favor and housed the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory for the ensuing 160 years.
In 1873, the palace was restored to its Late Gothic excellence, with Gothic Revival murals that document the historical significance of the site added throughout.
2. Meissen Cathedral
Adjacent to Albrechtsburg, Meissen Cathedral stands as a quintessential representation of Gothic architecture.
Construction began in 1260 and continued until 1410. Initially, visitors should head toward the north wall of the choir, where one can find two lifelike 13th-century polychrome statues of Holy Roman Emperor Otto I and his wife Adelaide of Burgundy, recognized as the founders of the diocese of Meissen in the 10th century.
Noteworthy features include the rood screen from 1260, as well as an altar triptych crafted in the workshop of Lucas Cranach the Elder, alongside intricately carved choir stalls, and a pulpit from the 16th century.
A new funerary chapel for the Wettins was constructed in 1425, located on the west side of the edifice, housing Frederick’s ornate bronze tomb monument.
3. Meissen Porcelain Manufactory
Meissen has become synonymous with exquisite porcelain, a tradition that dates back to 1708. This legacy originated when Augustus the Strong, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland, sought to uncover the secret of Chinese porcelain, which had been imported to Europe at considerable expense for centuries.
He assembled a team of alchemists, metallurgists, and physicists, which eventually led to the establishment of the Meissen manufactory in 1708.
A visit to the manufactory includes a tour of the “demonstration workshop,” where an audio-guide illustrates the meticulous hand-painting and glazing processes each piece undergoes.
Visitors need not be collectors to appreciate the artistry involved.
Upstairs, a museum houses an impressive collection of fine porcelain, showcasing three centuries of craftsmanship within a purpose-built Neoclassical exhibition space.
4. Burgberg
The ascent to the hill that supports the castle and cathedral from the south resembles a journey through history: visitors navigate past Gothic and Renaissance patrician homes along stairways until reaching the Schlossbrücke.
This Romanesque bridge, completed in the 1220s, is adorned with crenellations on either side and culminates in the Mittlerer Burgtor.
This distinguished entryway was originally Romanesque but was later reconstructed in the Gothic Revival style during the 1870s after being dismantled in the 1700s, featuring mosaics that depict St George.
Passing through the gate leads visitors to Domplatz (Cathedral Square), offering stunning views of the castle, cathedral, and monastic buildings.
5. Meissen Markt
Located at the foot of Burgberg, Meissen’s marketplace is surrounded by Renaissance structures on all sides.
Your gaze will likely be directed towards the apse and 57-meter tower of the Frauenkirche, along with the striking white town hall, which will be discussed further on.
On the eastern side is the Hirschhaus, featuring a notable Mannerist portal dating back to 1642. The southern boundary is graced with a charming array of pastel-painted Renaissance homes, including the Markt-Apotheke (Market Pharmacy).
6. Frauenkirche
Positioned in the southwest corner of the marketplace, the Church of Our Lady, which first appeared in records at the beginning of the 13th century, is a significant landmark.
After enduring city fires in the 15th century, the church was expanded and redesigned into a Late Gothic hall structure.
The beautiful altarpiece dates to this period; although its wings had been lost, they were replaced in the 1900s.
An additional valuable altar, crafted in 1480, was relocated here from Meissen’s Nikolaikirche.
The tower suffered lightning damage in the 16th century, leading to its current Renaissance style and octagonal shape.
Within the tower is the world’s first 37-bell porcelain carillon, installed in 1929 to commemorate Meissen’s 1000th anniversary, which plays different hymns at intervals throughout the day.
7. Rathaus
Occupying the entire northern side of Marktplatz, the town hall is an aesthetically pleasing Late Gothic structure completed in 1478. The building features a pronounced and unusually steep saddle roof, showcasing a row of three elaborately decorated dormers.
The main portal exhibits a Gothic ogival arch, under which sits Meissen’s coat of arms, carved from sandstone in 1865. The doorway to the right led to the Brotbank (a bakery regulated by the town), which is now a traditional restaurant known as Ratskeller, commonly found in historical German town halls.
8. Panoramaaufzug Burgberg Meissen
The trek to the summit of the Burgberg can be challenging on warm summer days; thus, a new panoramic lift is available for use.
This lift transports individuals in a glass chamber, ascending 33 vertical meters in just 40 seconds.
Operational from 09:00 to 18:00, riding up costs €1.00, while descent is complimentary.
Your brief journey allows for a scenic overview of the Elbe River and its vineyards.
9. Kloster Heilig Kreuz
Situated a couple of kilometers north of Meissen along the Elbe River are the intriguing remains of a medieval monastery.
This complex, dating back to the early 13th century, has fluctuated between Cistercian and Benedictine orders.
The buildings were secularized during the Reformation in the 16th century and subsequently destroyed during the Seven Years’ War in the mid-18th century.
The respected Romantic painter Caspar David Friedrich depicted these ruins in the 19th century.
Currently, the site is managed by Hahnemannzentrum, an organization specializing in homeopathic medicine.
The grounds feature gardens planted with roses, honeysuckle, clematis, and over 200 varieties of medicinal and aromatic plants.
Among the botanical collection is the oldest Traminer vine in Saxony, which is over 150 years old.
10. Stadtmuseum
The Stadtmuseum of Meissen resides within several of the historic structures of the old town, including a Neo-Gothic house from the 19th century, a gatehouse on Domplatz near the cathedral, and the former Church of St Peter and Paul, which serves as the principal exhibition venue.
This museum provides insights into Meissen’s history from various perspectives, documenting the evolution of porcelain craftsmanship, showcasing religious statues, and funerary monuments dating from the Medieval to Early Modern periods.
The old church houses an eclectic assortment of items, including a giant wine press from 1788, 19th-century bicycles, sewing machines manufactured at the Meissen Biesolt & Locke factory in the 1880s, models of vessels that navigated the Elbe River, and 16th-century pistols.
11. Kirche St. Afra
Situated on the Afraberg hill, a brisk ascent via two stairways from the Marktplatz leads to this church, consecrated in the early 13th century and once part of an Augustinian monastery.
The Church of St Afra underwent modifications in the 15th century, with its most striking feature being the Martinsaltar, originally from the Church of St Martin in Weinböhla, distinguished by vibrant depictions of St Martin, St Urban, and John the Evangelist.
The early Baroque portal on the south side showcases the coat of arms of the Saxon electors, with a statue of Moses bearing the ten commandments on the left and Paul the Apostle wielding a sword on the right.
12. Wine
Meissen boasts a winemaking tradition that dates back to the 12th century.
This region represents Saxony’s wine area, one of the northernmost in Europe, featuring vineyards along the terraced granite slopes of the Elbe Valley stretching from Dresden to Diesbar-Seußlitz, approximately 15 kilometers north of Meissen.
Wineries predominantly produce dry, light, and fruity white wines, primarily utilizing Müller-Thurgau, Riesling, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris grape varieties.
A handful of red wines are also crafted using Pinot Noir, which successfully thrives in Meissen’s distinct climate characterized by cold winters and warm summers.
In the old town, wine taverns and bistros abound, and the Weinfest, celebrating the grape harvest in early October, invites regional vintners to present their latest offerings.
Live music is featured on a stage at the fairground alongside the Elbe River, catering to a wide array of musical preferences.
13. Schloss Proschwitz
The oldest privately owned winery in Saxony, located less than five kilometers from Burgberg in Meissen, is under the stewardship of a member of the historic House of Lippe.
Wine production on this estate has a history extending back to the mid-12th century.
The vines at Schloss Proschwitz flourish on the south-facing slopes of the right bank of the Elbe, compensating for the high latitude, offering visitors the opportunity to tour the estate while enjoying picturesque views of Albrechtsburg and the cathedral.
The 18th-century Baroque palace is available for events, with summer concerts conducted in the park.
Typically, the primary attraction is the winery shop, where guests can enjoy sampling wines under the shade of chestnut trees.
14. Meissen Siebeneichen Zoo
Spanning three hectares of forest near the Siebeneichen Schloss, this animal park features 85 different species and approximately 400 animals in total across its expansive grounds.
Children will enjoy interacting with friendly ponies and rabbits, alongside a variety of other farm animals including chickens, horses, goats, and pigs.
The aviary houses birds of prey such as long-eared and snowy owls.
While the focus is on domestic and mountainous species, exotic creatures like kangaroos, turkeys, porcupines, parrots, sika deer, and alpacas can also be found.
15. Meißner Fummel
Meissen is home to a pastry with European Union geographical indication that has been crafted in the town for over three centuries.
The Meißen Fummel is an intriguing treat with a storied background.
This pastry is produced from dough that is rolled exceptionally thin, and when baked, it inflates like a balloon yet remains hollow inside.
The delicate pastry shell is then dusted with icing sugar and enjoyed as a delightful accompaniment to coffee.
But what is the purpose of this essentially air-filled delicacy? The Fummel was created by the 18th-century Elector August II the Strong for couriers to transport important documents between Dresden and Meissen.
Its fragility necessitated careful handling to avoid breakage.
