MEISSEN, mī'sĕn, Germany, a town of Saxony, founded by Henry I in 922-33, 14 miles northwest of Dresden, on the left bank of the Elbe, at the confluence of the Meisse and Triebisch. It has a noble old castle originally built in the 10th century and rebuilt in the 15th century on a precipitous rock above the town, recently restored. There is a fine old Gothic cathedral, 500 to 600 years old. Also the Franciscan church, a large and magnificent edifice, used as the custom-house; the church of Our Lady, or city church; the ancient church of Saint Nicholas; and other public buildings. The royal porcelain factory, first established by Bœttcher (q.v.), and now at some distance from the town, is the great industrial establishment of the place; there are also manufactures of matches, stoves, iron foundries and machine-works, a jute-mill, breweries, etc. Meissen is the see of an archbishop. Pop. about 35,865.