Order of Merit of the Free State of Saxony

The Order of Merit of the Free State of Saxony (Sächsischer Verdienstorden) is a civil order of merit, and the highest award of the German state of Saxony. First presented in 1997, it is awarded by the Minister-President of Saxony. The order is presented to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the people and state of Saxony. The award is limited to a total of 500 living recipients. As of November 2012 it has been awarded 243 times.

Notable recipients

 * Kurt Biedenkopf
 * Reiner Kunze
 * Adolf Merckle
 * Georg Milbradt
 * Stanislaw Tillich
 * Erwin Teufel
 * Udo Zimmermann