Porzellanmanufaktur Meissen
Visitor experience at Europe's oldest porcelain manufactory, with a viewing workshop, the museum of the MEISSEN Porzellan-Stiftung, café and store.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The manufactory traces back to the invention of European hard-paste porcelain. The alchemist Johann Friedrich Böttger and the natural scientist Ehrenfried Walther von Tschirnhaus developed it on behalf of Augustus the Strong; the first firing succeeded on January 15, 1708. On January 23, 1710, the Elector founded the manufactory, which from June 1710 produced in Meißen's Albrechtsburg. In 1722 the crossed swords were introduced as a mark; they are considered one of the oldest continuously used trademarks in the world.
Since 1864, MEISSEN porcelain has been made in a manufactory built specifically for it in Meißen. Today the MEISSEN experience world is located there, where visitors can follow the handcraft in the viewing workshop; audio guides are available in fourteen languages.
The museum of the MEISSEN Porzellan-Stiftung shows around 2,000 objects from a holding of about 33,000 historical porcelain pieces and tells more than 300 years of manufactory history. The range also includes creative workshops, tours of the production rooms ("manufakTOUR"), a café with restaurant, and the manufactory's store and outlet.
Highlights
- Viewing workshop with a look at the handcraft
- Museum with about 2,000 objects from 300 years of manufactory history
- Audio guides in 14 languages included in admission
- Creative workshops and tours of production
- Café & Restaurant as well as store and outlet
- Combined ticket with the Albrechtsburg Meißen
Permanent exhibitions
- Museum der MEISSEN Porzellan-Stiftung – Around 2,000 porcelain objects from all periods of the first European porcelain manufactory, selected from about 33,000 historical pieces.
- Schauwerkstatt – At several workstations you can see how porcelain figurines and dinner services are made by hand; manufactory craftspeople answer questions.
- Founded
- 1710
- Operated by
- Staatliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Meissen GmbH; Museum: MEISSEN Porzellan-Stiftung GmbH
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €16 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €12Pupils, trainees, students, and people with severe disabilities (GdB 50–100%), with proof |
| Children & teens | €12free up to age 5 · Children aged 6 to 18 pay €12; children up to age 6 are admitted free. |
| Seniors | –No senior discount. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €12companion free · Applies to people with GdB 50–100%. |
| Students & apprentices | €12 |
| Groups (10+ people) | –Groups of 10 or more should register. Exclusive guided tours: €19 per person or €380 per group (20 to 30 people), admission included, about 1.5 hours. |
| Families | €30Family ticket for 2 adults and up to 3 children under 17. |
| Small family ticket | €161 adult and 1 child under 17. |
| Combined ticket for the manufactory and Albrechtsburg (adults) | €24Valid for three days; online €23. Children (6–18 years) €18, family ticket €45, reduced €18. |
| Public guided tour of the viewing workshop with guide | €19Per person, admission included; at fixed times during peak season. |
Included in admission are the audio-guided tour through the viewing workshop (14 languages) and the museum visit. Online tickets are €1 cheaper than at the till (adults €15). Free admission is also granted to birthday children, companions of people with GdB 100, and bus drivers and tour guides (at the till only, with proof).
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Elevators, a stair lift and accessible toilets are available; two accessible parking spaces are about 70 m from the main entrance at the Böttger monument. Guided tours for blind visitors and guests with disabilities are available on prior request. Dogs are not allowed in the museum and viewing workshop, except assistance dogs.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 2 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
| Family ticket | €30 · Family ticket for 2 adults and up to 3 children under 17. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
For toddlers there is the Meissen Safari, and for children who can read and write a tablet rally (both at the museum ticket desk). During Saxon school holidays there are family tours, courses and a children's menu in the café.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Porzellanmanufaktur
S-Bahn S1 to Meißen-Altstadt or Meißen-Triebischtal, then about 10 minutes on foot (signposted). City bus C to the stop "Porzellanmanufaktur". From March 30 to October 31, a city bus runs every 30 minutes between the Albrechtsburg and the manufactory; from May to October a steamboat departs from Dresden.
By car
Paid parking · 200 m to the entrance
Paid parking lot run by Meißner Stadtwerke at Talstraße 10, about 200 m from the main entrance; parking fees are refunded with a purchase of €50 or more at the MEISSEN store. Further parking at the Neumarkt-Arkaden, at Meißen-Altstadt station and at Kleinmarkt; bus parking at the Elbe and on Meisastraße.
- Accessible parking
Navigation address: Talstraße 9, 01662 Meißen. Bicycle racks to the right of the main entrance. By car via the A4 (exit Wilsdruff or Siebenlehn), A14 (Nossen-Ost), A13 (Radeburg) or B6.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
- Coat check
- Lockers
Café & Restaurant MEISSEN (reservations at +49 3521 468730 or cafe@meissen.com), MEISSEN store and outlet; free cloakroom with lockers in the entrance area.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
Event rooms for conferences, celebrations and workshops; celebrations can also be held in the Café & Restaurant.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 40 min |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (ZH, DA, DE, EN, FI, FR, IT, JA, NL, PL, RU, SV, ES, CS) |
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography and filming are allowed for private purposes, only without flash, tripod or selfie stick. |
| Good to know | About two hours are recommended. The audio-guided tour through the viewing workshop takes about 40 minutes. Exclusive tours through the museum and viewing workshop can be booked in advance in 11 languages. For kindergarten and school groups there is a special offer from the autumn holidays until March 31. |
