Chemnitz (261,000 inhabitants) epitomizes German industrial dynamism. One of the first German steam locomotives was built in the city in 1839, and motors for the first Audi models with front wheel drive were assembled here at the beginning of the 20th century. Today, thanks to its highly skilled work force and the scientific and academic potential of the Technical University (the second largest in eastern Germany), Chemnitz has picked up the thread of this old tradition, focusing on innovative production, especially in the areas of tool and textile machinery manufacturing. The Meissen porcelain factory has been producing its exquisite merchandise continuously since 1710. Its trademark - the crossed swords - is known the world over. Johann Friedrich Bottger (1682-1719) discovered the formula for this “white gold” in 1708 while working in his laboratory in Dresden.

The world’s first reflex camera was constructed in Dresden, and such everyday articles as the toothpaste tube, filter cigarettes, mouthwash, beer bottle caps and coffee filters were developed here as well.

“Florence on the Elbe” and “Paris in miniature“.

In the year 2006, Dresden (469,000 inhabitants) will celebrate the 800th anniversary of its founding. With this in mind, the state capital is presently undertaking great efforts to reconstruct its historic townscape, which still bears the scars of the devastation wrought by World War II. More than 200 building cranes meanwhile dot the city, which in years past was affectionately called “Florence on the Elbe” because of its architectural splendor and elegance; public and private investment for building reconstruction and restoration currently exceeds DM25 billion.