Why is Germany’s foremost cultural destination The region of Saxony is characterised by its distinctive arts and culture scene, traditions that have been preserved for centuries, enchanting landscapes, significant historical moments and a fascinating present. Thus, the Free State of Saxony in Germany’s southeast provides a wide variety of options in particular for culture and city breaks but also family, activity, vitality and wellness holidays.

Culture is the defining topic for tourism in Saxony. The region’s variety of cultural offers, which can be found throughout, and their sophistication are unparalleled in Germany. Visitors from all over the world enjoy and appreciate the range of first-class arts and culture experiences to be had in Saxony. The federal state’s cultural scene is characterised by widely respected theatre and music productions, top-notch festivals as well as museums and exhibitions of international standing.

Among Saxony’s outstanding cultural players and venues are the Semper Opera in , the Gewandhaus in Leipzig, the opera in as well as castles, palaces and historical buildings. Each year there are more than 40 nationally and internationally renowned music festivals highlighting composers such as Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Schumann, Bach, Mozart and Wagner. With some of the biggest names in classical music having lived and worked in Saxony, visitors can, for example, explore Bach in Leipzig, Schumann in Zwickau or Mozart in Chemnitz. Also, music can be found in many places in Saxony and not just in big concert halls, with events staged in a wide array of unusual venues such as vast quarries, atmospheric small churches, beautiful parks, former factories or bars and pubs. Last but not least, more than 500 museums are also testament to the grand cultural heritage of Saxony, a region whose history goes back more than a thousand years. For Germans as well as international tourists Saxony is Germany’s number one cultural destination.

Highlights of arts and culture The region’s cultural highlights make a trip to Saxony stand out: Take the Dresden State Art Collections, for example, that are counted among the world’s greatest museums. 13 different museums offer visitors a unique variety to choose from, including the Historic Green Vault, the Old Masters Picture Gallery as well as the New Masters Gallery and Albertinum. The foundation of the Collections goes back to the 16th century. Saxony also has a rich culture of arts and crafts and is known for its traditional handicrafts throughout the world: Artistic wood carvings produced in the Ore Mountains are one-of-a-kind and much beloved items. In the Vogtland region, musical instruments have been produced since 1677, a tradition that is in this shape and form unique in Europe. Numerous artists in world-famous orchestras or even Bill Clinton use the expertly hand-made string and wind instruments.

Lace from Plauen and watches from Glashütte are renowned trademarks rooted in Saxony. Since 1710, Europe’s first porcelain factory has been producing the famous handcrafted Meissener Porzellan in Meißen. The crossed swords symbol on every product is the worldwide oldest trademark that has been used without interruption. To this day, porcelain from Meißen influences the style of European tableware and fine dining. In show workshops, visitors can see how the fine wares are produced and marvel at exhibits from three hundred years of porcelain making.

And there are more cultural highlights: The Museum of Fine Art in Leipzig is one of the oldest art museums in Germany. Also in Leipzig, the GRASSI Museum has a first-class collection and is one of the world’s top museums for applied arts. The State Art Collections in Chemnitz are internationally known for showcasing the works of expressionist painter Karl Schmidt-

Rottluff, and the Gunzenhauser Museum, which is part of the Collections, has one of the largest German collections of 20th century art including 200 paintings.

Places steeped in history Exploring narrow cobblestone lanes and charming neighbourhoods is a delight for every holidaymaker, and Saxony’s small romantic towns with market squares that are up to one thousand years old, historic buildings and lively cultural scenes are true gems. All of these towns offer something different and special: Meißen, known as the “cradle of Saxony“ with a history going back more than a thousand years, not only features Albrechtsburg castle which became in 1710 the first manufacturing site for the famous local porcelain. The town is also known for its fine wines. The Saxon Wine Route between Meißen, Radebeul and Pirna is characterised by terraced vineyards, and the local winegrowing culture goes back more than 850 years. Freiberg in the Ore Mountains is home to the unique “Terra mineralia“ minerals exhibition in Freudenstein Castle with 3,500 minerals, gemstones and meteorites from five continents. Also in the Ore Mountains, the town of Annaberg-Buchholz is home to the Manufactory of Dreams museum and its collection of local folk art. Torgau, Grimma, Plauen, Zwickau, Kamenz, Bautzen, Görlitz (don’t miss this unique architectural treasure with 4,000 historic buildings of almost every era!) and Zittau are further destinations full of culture and history.

Churches, castles and pleasure palaces Another example of Saxony’s grand cultural and historical heritage are the region‘s palaces, castles, gardens and stately homes. About 1,000 of them can be explored in Upper Lusatia, Saxony’s centrally located castle and heathland region and the Ore Mountains. Some of them are mighty and formidable, others baroque and sophisticated. They frequently serve as backdrops for theatre and music productions, castle festivals, medieval shows or exhibitions as well as for weddings. A selection of 50 gems, some of them offering accommodation, is managed and promoted by the Schlösserland Sachsen initiative of state palaces, castles and gardens, among them the 200-years-old Muskau Park, a UNESCO-listed landscape park in the Upper Lusatia region of Germany and Poland.

Of climbing rocks and sandy beaches Enjoying Saxony’s cultural offers can be easily combined with activity, wellness or family holidays. Dresden as a cultural hotspot is only a stone’s throw away from the Saxon Switzerland National Park with its superb climbing terrain. Equally, hiking in the Vogtland region, the Ore Mountains or Upper Lusatia as well as cycling on the Elbe Cycle Route can easily be pencilled in. And there’s more: You can go on nostalgic narrow-gauge railway trips through romantic sceneries or cruise down the Elbe river on a very special type of boat, with Dresden featuring the world’s largest and oldest fleet of paddlesteamers. Saxony also offers opportunities for waterside holidays: South of Leipzig, former open-cast mines were turned into a huge lake district called Neuseenland. In a similar fashion, old mining sites in Lusatia have been transformed into lakes for water sports and recreation. Mountain bikers will be challenged on the Stoneman Trail in the Ore Mountains, and bikers will appreciate the many motorcyclist-friendly routes along rivers or in Saxony’s mountainous regions.

Family-friendly and relaxing Saxony is also known as a family-friendly holiday destination with many hotels, B&Bs, holiday homes and leisure facilities specifically catering for families with children. They carry a special logo indicating that they are certified family holiday providers.

Vitality holidays in Saxony are more than your average wellness break. The region offers hot springs, healthy and clean air, moors and minerals as essential components for holidays that have a sustainable effect on your health. Spa towns such as Bad Elster and Bad Brambach in the Vogtland or Wiesenbad in the Ore Mountains are popular destinations with years of experience, highly competent staff and effective approaches to maintaining health and wellbeing. Certified hotels, resorts and thermal spas provide the right surroundings for a relaxing stay. Massages and treatments recharge batteries and even more enjoyable moments are on the cards when sampling local as well as international culinary delights. Speaking of which, Saxony is known for its cuisine and regional specialities.

Accesible Saxony Saxony is one of Germany’s leading federal states when it comes to holiday offers for people with disabilities and access requirements. A special brochure provides an overview of accessible travel and leisure options, in particular in the arts and culture segment, and presents recreational facilities for people who are blind, visually impaired or hearing impaired as well as for people in wheelchairs. All accessible tourism offers have been screened and comply with the corresponding German quality criteria.

Contact: Tourismus Marketing Gesellschaft Sachsen, Bautzner Str. 45-47, 01099 Dresden, phone +49 (0)351-4917023, fax: +49 (0)351-4969306, [email protected] or www.visitsaxony.com