DRESDEN – THE FAIRYTALE HEART OF GERMANY’S CHRISTMAS MAGIC 🎄 4K HDR

DRESDEN – THE FAIRYTALE HEART OF GERMANY’S CHRISTMAS MAGIC 🎄 4K HDR

Welcome to the Dresden Striezelmarkt! This market is one of the oldest Christmas markets in the world, tracing its history back to 1434. The Striezelmarkt is one of the oldest Christmas markets in the world. The number 590 is written above the entrance. This marks the 590th edition of the Christmas market. The entrance archway holds the title of the world’s largest usable Christmas arch. The arch, or ‘Schwibbogen’ in German, is shaped like the arched entrance to a mine, a nod to the area’s silver and tin mining history. Smaller versions are popular Christmas decorations in homes. Dresden has been dubbed the ‘capital of Christmas’ and it’s easy to see why. This market originally took place to provide the citizens of Dresden with the sale of meat for the Christmas meal. The event began as a one-day market back in 1434. The Christmas tree is an important feature of the market, sometimes growing up to 20 meters high. The spruce is typically brought from the nearby Tharandt woods. Since 1434, Dresden’s Christmas market has maintained much of its original character. The market took place the Monday before Christmas on the Altmarkt square. The square, called the Altmarkt, has become internationally renowned thanks to the Christmas market. The Altmarkt has ancient origins and was first mentioned in 1370. After the construction of a new market in 1550, this central square took the name of Altmarkt (Old Market). The Christmas markets were already being held in many German-speaking areas of Europe in the late Middle Ages. The first ever Christmas markets are thought to originate in Vienna in 1296. Stalls traditionally sell wooden toys like nutcrackers. Glühwein, or mulled wine, is the drink of choice at Germany’s Christmas markets, and the scent is everywhere. The Christmas Pyramid is one of the most famous features of the market. Beneath the tree is a wooden carved nativity scene. Glühwein is hot red wine spiced with cloves and cinnamon, served in specially decorated mugs. You can also find hot beer, hot cider, and even hot spritz. Plenty of delicious food is on offer like Kartoffelpuffer (Potato Pancakes) or Currywurst (Curried Sausages). Also make sure you don’t miss out on Schupfnudeln (Potato Dumplings) or Dresdner Handbrot (Stuffed Bread). Local cheese and cured meats are also common products sold at the market. A typical sweet product here is Pulsnitzer Pfefferkuchen (Pulsnitz gingerbread). The name translates as ‘pepper cake,’ and at the time, pepper referred to any foreign spice. Wurst, or sausages, are a classic. Meat is still sold at the market. The gingerbread sold at the Striezelmarkt comes from Pulsnitz, a town about 50 km from Dresden. Despite the name in English, this style of ‘gingerbread’ doesn’t actually contain ginger. It contains nutmeg, cinnamon, ground cloves, and allspice, added after the dough has been left up to 6 months to mature. Pfefferkuchen are usually filled with marmalade or jam and covered with chocolate. O’Donnell moonshine is a spirit made in Manchester infused with various sweet flavors like nuts and fruit. Hand-carved wooden decorations and ornaments are typical products at the market. The word Striezelmarkt comes from *Strüzel* or *Stroczel*, the name of a type of cake sold at the market. It is now widely known as Stollen or Christstollen. Stollen is a light, airy fruitcake that is quite low in sugar and available in many parts of the world. The true Dresden Stollen is produced in the city and distinguished by a special seal depicting Augustus II, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland. The shape of the cake is meant to be reminiscent of the entrance to a mine tunnel, reflecting the area’s silver and tin mining history. The Striezelmarkt has developed into a huge event with 240 stands in the 21st century. Dresden’s Striezelmarkt attracts around 3 million visitors a year from all over the world. Pflaumentoffel are a special local decoration and food whose name translated to ‘plum devil’. They are made out of prunes and are supposed to be chimney sweeps, all dressed in black with a top hat and a brush. Until the 20th century, Pflaumentoffel were sold at the Striezelmarkt on trays carried by children. That looks good! Hot roast chestnuts are another classic food you should try at Christmas markets. The Christmas Pyramid is one of the most famous features of the market. Much smaller ones of these are used as decorations in German homes at Christmas time. The tiers rotate, driven by the heat of candles rising up into a rotor at the top. The pyramid here in the Striezelmarkt is the tallest example in the world. On each tier there are figures connected with Christmas. This pyramid was developed in the 19th century and is around 14 meters high. At the base are the Wise Men and shepherds coming to visit baby Jesus. Following the bombing of Dresden in WWII, much of the historic buildings on the Altmarkt were destroyed. The reconstruction of the west and east side and the surrounding streets took place in the 1950s. Romantischer Weihnachtsmarkt translates to “Romantic Christmas Market.” It is located directly in front of Dresden Castle. Neumarkt has a long history dating back to the middle ages, when it was used as a market square. The square is located in front of the reconstructed Frauenkirche, seen in the background. The square’s name, Neumarkt, means “new market” in German, and it was likely used for commercial activities such as trade and merchants’ fairs. Martin Luther, who lead the Reformation, often preached here in Dresden. Memorials of Martin Luther can be seen in many towns across Germany. During the 18th century, Neumarkt underwent a major renovation and reconstruction under the direction of the famous architect Matthaeus Daniel Pöppelmann. Pöppelmann’s plans turned the square into an impressive Baroque ensemble, with a central fountain and several important buildings, including the Frauenkirche. The Frauenkirche was one of the most important landmarks of Neumarkt and one of the most significant religious buildings in the city. Can you see how a few of the bricks are a darker grey than most of the others? The darker colored bricks are what remain of the original church before the Allied firebombing in 1945. It was reconstructed to the original design between 1994 and 2005. It is considered an outstanding example of Protestant sacred architecture. It also has one of the largest domes in Europe. Here is another Christmas pyramid, not quite as tall as the one we saw before, with rotating tiers. Although not immediately obvious, many of the buildings in this area are post-war reconstructions. This monumental archway leads out onto the Brühlsche Terrasse, an architectural structure built in the 18th century. The terrace stretches high above the shore of the river Elbe. This terrace is dubbed the ‘Balcony of Europe’. The terrace leads to the Schlossplatz, a square lined with more buildings reconstructed after the war. The present-day terrace was once part of the city’s fortifications. Here you can see the Augustus Bridge (Augustusbrücke), which connects Dresden’s Old Town and New Town across the River Elbe. Originally built in the 12th century and rebuilt by Augustus the Strong in the 1700s, it has long been the city’s main crossing. The current bridge, made of Elbe sandstone, was restored between 2017 and 2019 and is now open only to pedestrians and trams.

Every December, the historic streets of Dresden transform into a winter wonderland, home to one of Europe’s oldest and most enchanting Christmas markets — the Striezelmarkt, founded in 1434. Beneath the twinkling lights of the Altmarkt and the domes of the Frauenkirche, the scent of mulled wine, roasted almonds, and freshly baked Stollen fills the air.

Join me for a peaceful evening walking tour through Dresden’s Christmas markets, including the Striezelmarkt, Romantischer Weihnachtsmarkt, and Advent at the Neumarkt, where centuries of tradition blend with the warmth and spirit of the holiday season.

Immerse yourself in the glow of festive lights, the sound of Christmas music, and the timeless charm of this German Christmas city that feels like a living storybook.

📅 *Filmed on* Friday, December 6th starting at 7:28 PM.
🌞 *Weather* 6°C | 43°F 🌡
🗺️ *Map of the Walk* https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1U_e_9r6vwrfrXMt0vjyTx09HdN6NUnU&usp=sharing 🗺️

⏱️ *Video Timeline*
0:00 Intro and Map
0:58 Altmarkt – STRIEZELMARKT
45:42 Romantischer Weihnachtsmarkt
52:55 Neumarkt – Advent at the Neumarkt
1:06:41 Frauenkirche
1:18:11 Brühlsche Terrasse
1:23:58 Schloßplatz
1:32:27 Altmarkt – STRIEZELMARKT

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