Day Eight - Wednesday 15 October 2014 - Meissen and Dresden Germany

The Clara Schumann left Torgau at 1:00 am this morning en route to Meissen

Meissen Porcelain Furnace

Breakfast is leisurely -- we are able to linger and chat.  At 10:30 am there is a wine tasting --- at 11:00 am there is a review of upcoming Viking Cruises.   This is not coincidental --- even Stephanie could not keep a straight face when she gave us this schedule last night.   Lunch is at noon just as we arrive in Meissen.    Our city tour  begins at 1:15 pm  at the Meissen Museum and Factory.   Meissen can make anything out of porcelain -- from figurines to furnaces.

Meissen Lady -- cost is 5400 Euros or $7,000

 The town of Meissen is over a 1,000 years old --- it became world famous with the invention of porcelain by Johann Friedrich Bottger and the founding of the porcelain factory under the rule of August the Strong.   Bottger claimed he could produce gold and as he was trying he discovered the raw material for making first reddish-brown then white porcelain.   In 1710 August the Strong turned his Albrechtsburg Castle into a porcelain factory where it remained until 1861 when it moved to the current location.

Our tour  (with classical music playing in the background) takes us along the creative route of Meissen porcelain -- every piece is crafted by hand from forming to glazing to painting and glazing again.    Today almost all of the 175,000 objects ever created are still in production with molds dating back three centuries. 

Street in Meissen from the Castle.

Of course there is a gift shop --- and also an outlet -- we could afford neither. Settling for the simple admiration of  the beauty of these pieces is in itself a treat.  Meissen's mark is "crossed blue swords" -- I'll be keeping my eye out as I troll the yard sales on Cape Cod this summer.

About 3:15 pm we leave the Meissen Factory and go by bus up to Albrechtsburg Castle -- its construction began in 1471.   Sitting on a rocky projection high over the Elbe River, it is considered a high achievement of German architecture.     It is lovely to walk through the old and narrow cobblestone streets --- and see the medieval houses fitting together like a puzzle.  

Patte and Dave in Meissen's Market Square.

 Beth and I walk down before the group for a bit of shopping time --- we find a lovely "antik" store and purchase a couple of miniature nativity scenes made locally from quartz for about $15.   Arriving in the Market Square we find some of our group having a beer in one of the outdoor cafes -- it is a lovely area.  In fact -- as we drive  back -- a rainbow appears over the Clara Schumann.  Shortly after boarding we leave for Dresden.

Anne, Frank, Joyce, Beth & Jack on Deck .

 Dinner tonight is in the Dining Room and in the Lounge where stations with a variety of German Food is being offered --- it is festive  --- the crew are all dressed

in German costume.  After dinner -- everyone gathers on the sun deck to enjoy the lights of Dresden as we arrive about 9:00 pm.

Thanks for Reading!

Pat

     

Dresden from the Clara Schumann!