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Meissen

Meissen, known in German as Meißen, is a town in the state of Saxony, Germany. It lies on the Elbe River, about 25 kilometers northwest of Dresden, and serves as the seat of the Meissen district. The historic center includes the Albrechtsburg, a late medieval palace, and the Meissen Cathedral, making the town a notable example of early modern Saxon urban design. Meissen is renowned worldwide for its porcelain and is the cradle of the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory, established by Elector Augustus II the Strong in the early 18th century. The factory produced the first European hard-paste porcelain and helped establish Saxony as a center of ceramic artistry. Today the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory remains active and operates a museum that explains porcelain production and history.

The Albrechtsburg castle, begun in the 1470s, sits on a hill above the river and overlooks the

Meissen’s economy centers on porcelain production, tourism, and wine. The city also functions as a transport

town
and
the
Elbe
bend.
Nearby,
the
Cathedral
of
St.
Peter
and
St.
Paul
has
served
as
the
region’s
main
church
since
the
Middle
Ages
and
houses
important
artworks.
The
town’s
architecture
reflects
its
long
history,
with
timber-framed
houses
in
the
Old
Town.
The
surrounding
landscape
includes
terraced
vineyards
along
the
Elbe,
which
are
part
of
the
Saxon
Wine
Route.
hub
with
rail
and
road
connections
to
Dresden
and
other
parts
of
Saxony,
and
its
riverside
promenade
is
a
popular
destination
for
visitors
and
locals
alike.