Riesa is a town in the district of Meißen in the Free State of Saxony, Germany. It is located at the river Elbe, approx. 40 km northwest of Dresden.
The world's first 110 kV power line was inaugurated between Riesa and Lauchhammer in 1912.
Riesa has a 25m tall iron sculpture of an oak trunk, named "Elbquelle", by Jörg Immendorff. There are many other names for the Elbquelle, for example "Rostige Eiche", which means "rusty oak". Many inhabitants of Riesa call the sculpture "Rostige Eiche", because it looks rusty.
In the city of Riesa there are two famous churches. The minster St. Marien arose in the year 1261 in addition to the Benedictine Abbey. The Trinitatis Church was later constructed, completion in the year 1897.
Riesa is also known for the Erdgasarena, a large hall which hosted the European Sumo Wrestling Championship in October 2003 and the World Sumo Wrestling Championship in October 2004.
Riesa is well known for its pasta, which is produced in the Teigwaren Fabrik Riesa . Another symbol of Riesa are the "Riesaer Zündhölzer", the matches which were traditionally manufactured there.
Notable people from Riesa include the former footballer Ulf Kirsten. Riesa has a football club, TSV Stahl Riesa. The club's crest is blue and white, as are the club colours.
During the 1980s Riesa was the headquarters of the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany's 9th Tank Division.