Gold, rock crystal, and diamonds sparkle in the Baroque Treasury, built originally by Augustus the Strong between 1723 and 1729.
The
reconstructed Green Vault (Grunes Gewolbe) on the ground floor of the Residenzschloss contains the largest treasure collection in
Europe.
After thoroughly exploring the various rooms of the remarkable Green Vault, we find a cafe in a small shopping mall before returning
to the hotel via a second, briefer, visit to the Frauenkirche. This evening, we eat at the Ristorante Classico Italiano - located
close to the hotel. Our evening ends with a game of RACKO in the hotel's lobby.
Next morning, Tuesday, April 22nd, under the watchful eye of King Friedrich August II, we take our last views of the Frauenkirche
and the Neumarkt before our coach takes us westerly from the superb Steigenberger Hotel de Saxe to the Meissen Porcelain Factory/Museum
and Colditz Castle.
At the Meissen Factory, we watch a short film, learn that the Meissen symbol of crossed swords is glazed onto each piece, then are
given a guided tour that demostrates the different skills that are required to produce the very expensive products. We are then able
to explore the extensive museum which has some 2,000 items on display
We are able to get a drink in the museum's cafe before heading further west to Colditz Castle. After the earlier 15-mile
drive to Meissen we now have a drive of 42-miles to the location of Colditz, 25-miles south of Leipzig.
The
castle, famous as a prominent Second World War prisoner-of-war camp, is on a high point overlooking the small town
of Colditz and the River Mulde, a tributary of the Elbe.
As we leave Meissen, we get views of Meissen Cathedral
and Albrechtsburg Castle (Germany's oldest)
In Colditz town, a short walk takes us up to the castle's entrance.
Dresden & Berlin - April 2025
(continued)