Meissen

We followed the Elbe northwest to Meissen, about an hour's drive from Dresden.  We passed the Karl May Museum en route.  Germans love his tales about cowboys and Indians even though May never set foot in America.

We also crossed an old steam engine track.  "You're lucky to see one operating," Florian said. "There aren't many left."  It brought back sweet memories of an early toy my father bought me when I lived in Germany during the 50s.

It started to snow a little.  I love this picture.  Too bad the date stamp ruins it!

This sign coyly points the way to the "porcelain manufacturer."  Never mind that Meissen exports practically kept the German Democratic Republic afloat.  Nearly everything else produced by the country was worthless.

A timeline of logos decorates the front entrance.  The crossed swords have been trademarked since the early 1700s, longer than any other brand.  That's not to say they haven't been fine-tuned over the centuries.

Here's my favorite.

They even brand the cakes and the couture!

We waited for the factory tour under a regal porcelain figure.

The tour includes four connected workshops, beginning with the artisan who makes the base figures.

Another artisan adds body parts and the detailed moldings.

Patterned backgrounds are painted by hand.

Colorful details are added at the end of this artistic assembly line.

A museum (and several gift shops) display the beautiful and intricate work.  Not your mother's porcelain to be sure!

But there are cherubs, too.

Meissen markets to specific cultures and countries.  This case exhibited a Seder place setting.

The faint Jewish star is barely visible.

Florian posed in front of the American display.  He's determined to see Mount Rushmore.

There's a late-Gothic schloss in Meissen, too.  It overlooks the Elbe. Rain prevented us from climbing up high enough to enter the courtyard to see the castle and cathedral up close.