Dresden - Moritzburg Castle - Meissen - Meissen Porcelain Manufactory

Route: Leipzig - Dresden - Moritzburg Castle - Meissen - Meissen Porcelain Manufactory - Leipzig
Duration: 11 h
Firstly we will visit to Dresden which was known as both the 'Florence of the North' and the 'Venice of the River Elbe' before World War II destroyed most of this once-magnificent Baroque city. But Dresden has managed to restore much of its former glory. The views from the banks of the Elbe and plentiful architectural delights, such as the rebuilt Frauenkirche or the famous Semper Opera, provide glimpses of what today’s vibrant Dresden once looked like. During our visit you will see the Altstadt (Old Town) and beautiful buildings and unique history of the town. Excursion includes visits to the most beautiful building complex in Dresden – the Zwinger, as well as the Residence Palace, Theater Square with the famous Semper Opera House, Catholic Court Church, the Procession of Princes and passes by the newly rebuilt Frauenkirche (Church of our Lady) and the Brühl’s terrace – the “Balcony of Europe”. Next we will visit to the Moritzburg Castle which is a Baroque palace in Moritzburg. The castle has four round towers and lies on a symmetrical artificial island. It is named after Duke Moritz of Saxony, who had a hunting lodge built in the Renaissance style here between 1542 and 1546. The original castle was a hunting lodge for Moritz of Saxony, then Duke of Saxony. But Elector Augustus the Strong had other plans with Moritzburg Castle. In 1723 he began the large renovation work from Renaissance to Baroque hunting and pleasure palace. Here the elector wanted to celebrate his licentious feasts and hunts. His dream was to build a "Temple of Diana", surrounded by exotic animal enclosures with lions, cheetahs and bisons. The best Saxon craftsmen and artists collaborated on the interiors of the seven halls and over 200 rooms. The total work of art is of great structural clarity and scenic harmony.Next we will visit to the thousand year-old city of Meissen which is famous for its medieval centre, noble porcelain, and vineyard landscape of the Elbe valley. The picturesque city on the Elbe River offers abundant attractions, many of them touristic highlights of Saxony. In Meissen you will experience a very ancient old town with its typical narrow alleys and enchanting buildings from medieval and renaissance times. On a walk through Meissen you would think that time has stood still. This historic treasure is nestled up against the steep castle hill with the imposing gothic cathedral over the wide curve of the river Elbe. From up there you have a unique view over the scenic landscape with vineyards, the river and a maze of red roofed burgher houses. Enthroned above it all are the cathedral and the Albrechtsburg. It is regarded as being the first castle to be used as a royal residence in the German-speaking world. Here Europe’s first porcelain manufactory was founded.  Next at the porcelain manufactory we will visit to the Demonstration Workshops. There you can watch how Meissen porcelain is made, formed and decorated. The Demonstration Workshops  offer unique insights into the artisanal techniques employed by Meissen’s craftsmen and -women to create its delicate porcelain. After we return to Leipzig.
Price: per person