About Saxony

HISTORY

The history of Saxony begins with Heinrich I, who from 919 to 936 was the first Saxon ruler to reign as King of Germany. Heinrich, coming from the Harz, entered the region of today's Saxony, which until then had been settled by Slavs, and there put margrave in power in Meissen. German peasants soon settled in the region, thus putting an end to the sole settlement by the Slavs, and missionary work soon ensued.

In 1453, the duchy of Saxony attained the title of an Electorate and became a leading power of the Reich. In 1485, the land was divided between the two sovereign brothers, Ernst and Albrecht. From Wittenberg, the residence of the Ernestines and now part of Saxony-Anhalt, Martin Luther preached and the Reformation started to spread in 1517. Albertine Saxony later became Lutheran too.

After several wars, Saxony climbed to new heights in its development under the electoral prince, Augustus the Strong [1694-1733], who was also King of Poland as of 1697. In the 18th century, Saxony was undoubtedly respected as one of the cultural centers of Europe, but politically it was soon overshadowed by upcoming Prussia. In the Seven Years' War (1756-63), in the Napoleonic wars as a French ally, and in the Austro-Persian War (1866) as an Austrian ally, Saxony was always the loser in military conflict with Prussia. Even though the State was declared a kingdom in 1806, it had to relinquish almost three-fifths of its territory to Prussia in 1815 - and thus it roughly attained the borders of today.

Due to specially intensive industrialization in Saxony, a strong workers' movement developed at an early time. In 1863, the General German Workers' Union was founded in Leipzig, which was a precursor of the Social Democratic Party. From 1871, Saxony was a part of the German regime and developed by 1914 into the most densely populated area of Europe. At the end of the First World War, Saxony
was proclaimed a Republic.

During the National Socialist era, the State was brought into line. Dresden suffered most severely in the Second World War. A short time before the end of the war, in February 1945, 35,000 people died in Allied air raids.

After the war, Saxony, by now enlarged by the Silesian region by the Gorlitz became a part of the Soviet occupied zone. Like all other states of the GDR it was divided into regions in 1952. In autumn 1989, the larger Saxon cities were centers of non-violent resistance to the rule of the socialist. Initially it took a few Monday demonstrations, a good portion of courage, self awareness and perseverance. In Leipzig and Dresden, in Zwickau, Plauen and elsewhere women and men took to the streets to protest against the prevailing conditions. Their slogan - "We are the people!" That was the start of a peaceful revolution that transformed Germany and Europe. The slogan "We are the people!" set the reunification of the two halves of Germany in motion. On October 3, 1990 Saxony became a free State once more. For Saxony's 1000 year old history has always been characterized by the juxtaposition of nature, untouched by human hand and the continual drive towards progress. It is the heart of Europe where nature and culture grow together. If you have a desire to become a discoverer. And if you like following the trail of secrets from past centuries, then you should take a peak into hundreds of years of art, culture and a story of human determination.

PRICELESS AND HIGHLY ESTEEMED

Saxons are collectors. For centuries, they have been accumulating master-pieces from all over the world. Paintings and etchings, jewels and porcelain, witnesses to mining and the first technological revolution - the Saxon museum landscape is many facetted, and with 240 museums, is the most densely populated in Germany. And if something happens to be missing from one of the collections, that is because it's on show somewhere else in the world!

MUSIC - A GIFT TO MANKIND

Saxons love music. Saxony means classical music, jazz, folk music and pop. Saxony is Bach, Mendelssohn, Schumann and Wagner, Gret Palucca, Ludwig Guttler, Stefanie Hertel and 'Die Prinzen'. People who know Saxony are indeed spoiled for choices. But what about people who do not yet know Saxony? Only a visit to Saxony can whet this appetite because Saxony is a jewel in the musical landscape of Germany.

WALLS AND MASTERPIECES

Saxony's castles, fortresses and stately homes bear witness to the rich history of the free State. They offer an architectural cross section of many different epochs. Buildings that were erected as protection or as a royal residence, have now become attractions that are rich in art, treasures and flamboyantly embellished chambers. The castles of Kriebstein, Augustusburg, Moritzburg and Konigstein are just some of the masterly constructions that can be found all over Saxony.

TALENT AND DILIGENCE

Saxons are inventors. Saxony is a symbol of centuries of craftsmanship and inventive genius. Silver and iron was already being mined in the old mountains as early as the 12th century. However, this did not make the miners but the aristocracy rich. The famous craft of wood carving was born of necessity and provided a modest income. Chance rather than necessity led to the discovery of porcelain. During experiments to create gold, a bi-product was created and dubbed "white gold" - it entered the history of Meissen from where it conquered the world.