Meissen Porcelain Manufactory
From the beginning of the 13th century, porcelain was imported from China by the European royal courts at horrendous prices. At the beginning of the 18th century, research began in Meissen to unravel the manufacturing secret. Johann Friedrich Böttger, Ehrenfried Walther von Tschirnhaus, the Freiberg Bergrat Gottfried Pabst von Ohain and other expert miners and metallurgists were involved. The client was Augustus the Strong, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland.
The work was a success. In 1708, under the leadership of Johann Friedrich Böttger, white porcelain was produced for the first time. Europe's first porcelain was born. The crossed swords have been used since 1722 and the onion pattern has been a permanent feature since 1739. The site where production still takes place today was built between 1861 and 1864. During the GDR era, it was considered a scarce commodity and a popular object of exchange for foreign currency, but today it can be purchased immediately in the outlet shop round the corner. The Free State of Saxony has been a shareholder in the porcelain manufactory since 1991 and the range has been expanded to include Meissen Couture and Meissen Home.
Immerse yourself in the world of Meissen porcelain, just 5 minutes' walk from the flats, with a museum, Meissen Café, guided tours of the production and sales hall.
