Meissen

I took my first trip out of Dresden today, to the nearby city of Meissen! This well-preserved medieval city is only 30 minutes from Dresden by train, 11€ round trip. This city also lies on the Elbe, which like Dresden, separates the Altstadt (old town) from the Neustadt (new town). Unlike Dresden, the Altstadt was never bombed, although a large part of the castle here seems to have been recently reconstructed. I guess I'll have to look up the history to be sure. Another indication that this city was probably untouched during the war is the bridge that links the two sides of the city which has a crest on it marked 1933-1934, which I would assume would have been destroyed in WWII if the city had been attacked... Anyway, this lovely town is full of winding streets, steep hills, tiny gardens, and quaint restaurants and shops. The old feel of the town makes you believe you are in a fairy tale. The castle and Dom (an important church, headed by a bishop, from what I can tell) sit side by side on a huge hill. Construction was going on in and beside the castle, but the visit inside is well worth the 5€ (or 2,50€ as a student). The church is beautiful and large, with many naves and medieval passageways. The inside is well-preserved, with the same glowing colors of the Frauenkirche, which helps me imagine what the original Frauenkirche looked like. Inside the castle, the main room is the Great Hall, covered with beautiful wooden floors. In order to protect the floors, everyone is required to put on Hausschue (slippers) over their regular shoes. I didn't understand at first what was going on, but then saw the large chest and everyone getting on these soft slippers to protect the wood. It's typical to don these slippers in someone's home (usually taking off your own shoes in replacement), but this was definitely the first time I was asked to do something like this at a public monument. So, slippers on (school kids were enjoying the slickness of the floor in these rather large Hausschue), I enjoyed the medieval art all around me. The experience felt very German to me and I was trying to place where I picked up what this sensibility felt like; it seemed earthy and yet rich. The Council Room was filled with antler chandeliers and strong wooden chairs, which enhanced this old German feeling... Anyway, after my visit, I descended the hill and had a Kaffee und Keuchen for 2,22€, which is super cheap for a lovely apple torte and coffee. The sky was overcast and as it has been warm the past few days, I wasn't entirely dressed for any inclement weather. So I decided to head back to Dresden, with the intention of coming back to Meissen sometime this summer and checking out their Stadt Museum.