This is the oldest Christmas market in Europe
With cinnamon in the air, lit up by thousands of lamps, Christmas markets are an enchanted interlude in the heart of towns and cities across the world. This is the perfect way to await Christmas while having fun. Let’s visit the oldest of them all, which is unsuprisingly in Germany.
You might already know that the Germans can’t be beat when it comes to celebrating the holiday festivities, with magnificent Christmas markets lighting up towns and cities throughout the country. However, you might not have known that Germany is also home to the oldest of them all. Head for Dresden, the capital of Saxony, in the east of the country.
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Many such places claim to be the oldest Christmas market in the world, but only the one in Dresden, Germany, can back it up with a paper trail. It was a decree signed in 1434 by Elector Frederick II of Saxony that authorised the people of Dresden to hold a market in preparation for Christmas.
Originally, this market was held over just one day, Christmas Eve, to give local people the chance to buy products to celebrate the festive season. The name Striezelmarkt comes from the German word Strüzel or Striezel, which refers to a traditional Christmas cake similar to Stollen, a delicious bread with dried fruit and spices typically eaten during the Advent.
Over the centuries, the Striezelmarkt has grown into a Christmas market lasting several weeks, and has become one of the most eagerly awaited festive events in Saxony and Germany.
The Striezelmarkt, a Christmas market with a magical atmosphere
Every year at the end of November, in Dresden's oldest square, the Altmarkt, the Christmas market is decked out in lights and magnificent decorations. The Christmas magic begins.
The square is decked out with no fewer than 240 wooden cabins selling local crafts such as wooden toys, carved candles and blown glass. One of the most iconic products is the Dresden Stollen, of course! This German Christmas cake is so famous that there is a festival dedicated to it during the market, and a giant Stollen is prepared every year.
What to do at the Striezelmarkt Christmas market?
Once you've explored the aisles and tried some of the region's many specialities, you'll be sure to find something you like among the many activities and events on offer. Christmas concerts, puppet shows, children's activities including Santa's workshop and a fairytale house, a gingerbread festival, a day where local artisans get to show off their skills... There's no shortage of ideas for you to experience the magic of Christmas!
You can also enjoy the Ferris wheel to get a new perspective on the Christmas market.
One of the market’s attractions is the large wooden Christmas pyramid, at over 14 m high and typical of the region with its many decorated storeys and rotating wooden figures.
The Striezelmarkt, a very popular Christmas market
Every year, millions of visitors from Germany and all over the world come to experience the magic and uniqueness of the Striezelmarkt. The oldest and one of the most authentic Christmas markets in Europe, the Striezelmarkt combines tradition and craftsmanship, and is a testament to the importance of the festive season in German culture. And you'll want to come back for more!
StriezelmarktChristmas market2024Altmarkt Square, Dresden
Open from Wednesday 27 November to Tuesday 24 December 2024
Opening times:
27 November: from 4pm to 9pm, for the Christmas Market opening ceremony
28 November to 23 December: open daily from 10am to 9pm
24 December: 10am to 2pm
- https://www.msn.com/en-xl/news/other/this-is-the-oldest-christmas-market-in-europe/ar-AA1tRFCK?ocid=00000000
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