Die sächsische Schweiz aus der Vogelschau.

Title

Die sächsische Schweiz aus der Vogelschau.

Bird's-eye view of Saxon Switzerland. For example, at the front left, No. 1 Pillnitz Royal Palace and the town of Pillnitz on the Elbe (now a district of Dresden), Sonnenstein Castle, the town of Pirna, Mügeln, Königstein Fortress and town, Lohmen Castle, etc. up to Děčín Castle (German: Tetschner Castle) in Czechia. On the reverse side is an index with the right bank of the Elbe from 1-155 and the left bank of the Elbe from 1-92. After the original drawing by Adolph Eltzner (1816 -1891).

ca. 1860

Artist

Anonymus

Historical Description

Saxony-Wittenberg, in modern Saxony-Anhalt, became subject to the margravate of Meissen, ruled by the Wettin dynasty in 1423. This established a new and powerful state, occupying large portions of the present Free State of Saxony, Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt and Bavaria (Coburg and its environs). Although the centre of this state was far to the southeast of the former Saxony, it came to be referred to as Upper Saxony and then simply Saxony, while the former Saxon territories were now known as Lower Saxony. In 1485, Saxony was split. A collateral line of the Wettin princes received what later became Thuringia and founded several small states there (see Ernestine duchies). The remaining Saxon state became still more powerful and was known in the 18th century for its cultural achievements, although it was politically weaker than Prussia and Austria, states which oppressed Saxony from the north and south, respectively.