Germany at a Glance

52 Surroundings – Pillnitz and Meissen The 1000 years old Meissen, being situated on the Saxon Wine Trail, is dominated by a historic town centre, precious porcelain creations as well as the vineyards of the Elbe valley. Easy-to-reach along the Elbe river with a historical paddle steamer, which belongs to the oldest and largest fleet of paddle steamers in the world, is the summer residence of August the Strong, Pillnitz Palace with its beautiful gardens housing the famous 230 year-old Japanese camellia. The wild landscape of Saxon Switzerland inspired Richard Wagner and Carl Maria von Weber in their famous compositions. This national park close to Dresden is part of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains and home of the well-known fortress Königstein . • www.sachsen.de • www.sachsen-tourismus.de BlueWonder of Dresden One of the Dresden sights is the remark- able 147 m Blue Wonder steel bridge, a “wonder” of 19 th century engineering. When the bridge was constructed over the River Elbe, it was quite a feat. In 1893, at the time the bridge was completed, it was one of the longest bridges ever built that wasn't supported by pillars. Dresden's citizens immediately declared it a master­ piece of technology, and when it was painted a vibrant blue color, the name officially became Das Blaues Wunder – the Blue Wonder. • www.dresden.de 7