MEISSEN, mi.'sen. An interesting old town of ihn Kingdom of Saxony. Germany, situated on the left bank of the Elbe. HI 11111e4 by rail north west of Dresden (Slap: Germany. E 3). It lies in an exceptionally picturesque region. and has re taini41 its ancient appearance. Above the town rises the Seblossberg 1160 feet). with the Cathe dral and the Albrechtsburg. The former. a notable speeimen of Gothic arehitecture. was erected in 1260.1150, It is surmounted by a fine spire of openwork. contain= Many monuments and tombs of 8axon rulers. and a notable altar-piece by an unknown German painter. The Albrechtsburg, an extensive castle erected in 1171 83 and oe eupied b\ the electoral. afterwards royal. porce lain factory from 1710 to Poll. has been restored since 187:3. and some of the halls have been deco rated with tine frescoes by modern artists. The most noteworthy educational institution is the Ffirstensclude nu the Afraberg, founded in 1543. Lessing and attended school here. There are also a 'real' school and schools of commerce and agriculture.
has played a prominent part in the porcelain industry of Saxony. It was here that
Bottger established in 1710 the first. porcelain factory in Europe and produced the famous _Meissen ware. (See and PorrEnv.) The factory was transferred in 1863 from the Al breebtsburg to Trichischthal, a short distance from Meissen, and now employs over 700 persons. Meissen has a number of other porcelain manu factories. also foundries and machine works, tex tile mills, and manufactures of sewing machines, pianos. furniture. etc. In the vicinity the culti vation of fruit is carried on extensively. The chief articles of commerce are local manufactures of wine.
Meissen was founded in 928 by the Emperor Henry 1., and rose to great importa Ile(' as the residence of the ma rgraves of 'Meissen, the direct ancestors of the present Royal House of Saxony. The bishops of Meissen had until 1581 the rank f prim-es of the Einpire. Population, in 1890. 17.875; in 1900 (including Ciilln, annexed in 1901), 20.123, chiefly Protestants.