MEISSEN, a town of Germany, in the Land of Saxony, on both banks of the Elbe, 15 m. N.W. from Dresden, on the railway to Leipzig via Dobeln. Pop. (1933) 46,998. Meissen was founded about 920 by Henry the Fowler and from 968 to 1581 was the seat of a line of bishops, who ranked as princes of the empire. The town suffered greatly during the various wars of religion. COlln on the right bank of the Elbe was incorporated with Meissen in 1901. The old town lies on the left bank of the river, between the streams Meisse and Triebisch. Most of its streets are narrow and uneven. The cathedral, one of the finest early Gothic build ings in Germany, stands on the Schlossberg, above the town. It is said to have been founded by the emperor Otto the Great, but the present building was begun in the 13th century and was completed about 1450. A restoration, including the rebuilding of the two towers, was carried out in 1903-08. Adjoining the cathe
dral is the castle, dating from 1471-83, but restored about 1676, and after 1860. The convent of St. Afra, which stood on the Afraberg, was suppressed by Duke Maurice in and was by him converted into a school (the Ftirsten Schule), one of the most renowned classical schools in Germany, which counts Les sing and Gellert among its former pupils. Other public build ings of interest are the town-hall, built in 1479 and restored in 1875; and the Franciscan church now used as a museum of objects connected with the history of Meissen. Since 1710 Meissen has been the seat of the manufacture of Dresden china. Meissen also contains iron foundries, factories for making earthenware stoves, pottery, glass, pianos, explosives and matches, sugar refineries, breweries and jute works. A considerable trade is carried on in the wine produced in the surrounding vineyards.