Meissen and Torgau

We spent the morning in the town of Meissen. Meissen was settled in 959 by Slavic people. It is most well known for the production of fine porcelain china and other objects.

August the Strong had seen the porcelain coming from China in the late 1600s and being a collector of fine art objects wanted more. Some men in Meissen were experimenting and discovered the way to make porcelain. August the Strong employed them and the production of porcelain began in Meissen.

The original factory dates back to 1710. We toured the porcelain museum and learned how the porcelain is actually made. The museum pieces were amazing to see. They have over 10,000 molds and can remake items that were first produced hundreds of years ago.

After the museum and factory tour we toured the town of Meissen.

We sailed most of the afternoon and docked for the night in Torgau. At the end of the 2nd World War this town was freed by the American army, but the next day the Soviet army came in. The Soviets claimed they had liberated the town and the Americans let them say that. There was a famous photo taken of the two sides shaking hands here. We saw the memorials to this. April 25 was the anniversary and the memorial was covered with wreaths. Of course there is a castle here, so we walked through it. Our walk was after dinner.