Meissen

The sharp-peaked roof line of Meissen's medieval city center, crowned by its castle, is one of the top sights of a cruise on the Elbe or a visit to Saxony. The Gothic Frauenkirche church was begun in 1460, and in 1929 the world’s first tunable porcelain bells began ringing in its tower. Surrounding the church are charming medieval buildings and streets that climb steeply up to one of Germany’s oldest castles. Inside the late-Gothic Albrechtsburg are murals and a museum of local history and Meissen porcelain, which has been manufactured here since 1710. Porcelain looms large in Meissen, whose name is synonymous with fine china, and inside the ...

The sharp-peaked roof line of Meissen's medieval city center, crowned by its castle, is one of the top sights of a cruise on the Elbe or a visit to Saxony. The Gothic Frauenkirche church was begun in 1460, and in 1929 the world’s first tunable porcelain bells began ringing in its tower. Surrounding the church are charming medieval buildings and streets that climb steeply up to one of Germany’s oldest castles. Inside the late-Gothic Albrechtsburg are murals and a museum of local history and Meissen porcelain, which has been manufactured here since 1710. Porcelain looms large in Meissen, whose name is synonymous with fine china, and inside the Nikolai Church, the largest figures ever made of Meissen porcelain decorate a memorial to the victims of World War I. Many of the small old homes that line the lanes of the old center now contain shops, cafes and wine bars, where you can sample the product of one of Germany’s smallest wine growing regions. Or follow the Saxony Wine Road to visit the vineyards, especially lively during the September wine festival. Along the river, which is only a few steps from the old market square and Frauenkirche, is a level path popular with walkers, runners and cyclists; cruises on vintage boats offer some of the best views of the riverside city.

About the Expert

Stillman Rogers has written more than two dozen guidebooks, including Adventure Guide to Canada's Atlantic Provinces, Guide to Eastern Canada, and Adventure Guide to the Chesapeake.