Feasibility study: „European city and culture tourism – Thuringian ...

Final report, VIA REGIA „European city- and culture tourism“
Stadtwald“, passing by the Wüsten Schloss Osterland tot he Collm (314m) and Wermsdorfer
Wald.
Meißen
This 1000 year-old city, being situated at the „Sächsischen Weinstraße“ is characterized by
its medieval townscape, precious porcelain (popular all over the world for the manufactory of
the Meissen porcelain, the very first porcelain of Europe since 1708) and the wine yards of
the Elbtal. The skyline of this picturesque town is distinguished by the „Meißner Dom“
(Meißen Cathedral) and the Albrechtsburg which is the first castle building in the Germanspeaking
area.
Meanwhile, Meißen has also become popular for its numerous festivals, like the
AlbrechtsBurgfest, the Pottery market and the Wine Festival.
The completed “Elbe - Cycling Trail” (with a total length of 860 km!) proves to be very
popular as place of excursion.
The historic paddle steamers of the Saxon Steam Navigation with an age between 80 and
130 years are deemed to be particularly appealing to tourists, visiting the surrounding areas
of Meissen. The historic fleed’s route between Seußlitz and Bad Schandau in the Saxon
Switzerland also traverses one of the most beautiful river landscapes of Europe, namely the
Dresdner Elbtal.
Großenhain
In the Middle Ages, Großenhain gained great importance at the VIA REGIA and was
considered as one of the most significant town festivals of Saxony. The keep and fragments
of the city’s fortification still remind of the changeful history. Most of buildings in the historic
city centre originate from the 18th century.
The probably most important personality of Großenhains in the 19th century was Karl
Benjamin Preusker, as he was the one, who built the first public library of Germany in
Großenhain in the year 1828.
Worthwhile destinations for trips near Großenhain are a.o. the „Schönfelder
Schlossensemble“, the „Palais Zabeltitz“ and “Schloss Moritzburg”. Friends of cycling and
hiking can find more than 380km cycling and hiking trails in and around Großenhain.
Dresden
Dresden comes up with 800 years of cultural history being linked with modern developments
in the fields of architecture, art, music, and theatre in a vibrant way. Hence, tourists will be
impressed by the paramount attractions offered by this European culture metropolis.
The historic city centre and its unique ensemble comprising the „Zwinger“, „Semperoper“,
„Residenzschloss“, „Brühlscher Terrasse“ and the „Frauenkirche“, which represent areas of
excellence in the world culture are popular all over the world and attract millions of visitors.
Bautzen
Bautzen belongs to the sights at the Spree – cycling trail, stretching itself across a length of
420 km starting from the river heads of the Spree behind Bautzen running to Berlin. Above
all, it’s the historic city core, comprising around 1,500 building monuments and a city
fortification, which has been already completely preserved. Culture-interested visitors will get
their money’s worth as the city offer comes up with a. o. remains of a living-together of
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