Saxony (Sachsen)

Augustusplatz, Leipzig
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AUGUSTUSPLATZ-014.jpg
Author: Agaron


Saxony, or Sachsen in German, is a state in the southeastern part of the Federal Republic of Germany, in the former East Germany. It covers an area of 18,415 sq km (7,110 sq mi) and is bordered by Brandenburg to the north, Saxony-Anhalt to the northeast, Thuringia to the west, a small section of Bavaria to the southwest, the Czech Republic to the southwest and Poland to the west.

Saxony has a population of around 4.2 million people (2011 estimate). Its biggest cities are Chemnitz, Dresden and Leipzig. The state capital is Dresden. The state comprises three administrative regions (Direktionsbezirke) namely Chemnitz, Dresden, Leipzig. These are subdivided into 10 districts which are Bautzen, Erzgebirgskreis, Gölitz, Leipzig, Meißen, Mittelsachsen, Nordsachsen, Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge, Vogtlandkreis and Zwickau. The three main cities of Chemnitz, Dresden and Leipzig are independent urban districts or kreisfreie Städte.

The market and old town hall of Chemnitz, Saxony
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chemnitz_Altes_Rathaus,_Markt.jpg
Author: gravitat~on


The state of Saxony has a long history going back over a thousand years. During this long period, Saxony has been a medieval duchy, an electorate of the Holy Roman Empire, a kingdom and a republic, before it became part of East Germany, and eventually part of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Today Saxony is composed of three areas namely Chemnitz, Dresden and Leipzig. These are further subdivided into ten districts. It had one of the strongest economy in the former East Germany, and since reunification, Saxony has continued to be one of the fastest growing regions in the country. Nevertheless it still experiences high unemployment.

Frauenkirche, Dresden
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dresden_Frauenkirche_Juedenhof_C.Muench.jpg
Author: Christoph Münch


The patois of Saxony is a blend of the Thuringian and Upper Saxon dialects. The Erzgebirge dialect is also spoken in the state, though it bears some influence from the Upper Saxon dialect. The dialects of the Vogtland are also spoken here, with influences from East Franconian languages.

Visiting Saxony

The main airports in Saxony include the Dresden-Klotzsche Airport (DRS) and the Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ). Both airports get international flights from major cities in Europe.

Leipzig's main railway station is the biggest railway terminal in Europe. It has 26 platforms and includes a big shopping mall. Arriving here, you can transfer to train and bus services to visit other parts of Saxony.

Cities of Saxony

World Heritage Site in Saxony

Travel Destinations in Saxony

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