Striezelmarkt

The Striezelmarkt in Dresden is one of Germany's oldest documented Christmas markets. Founded as a one-day market in 1434, it celebrated its 580th anniversary in 2014. The annual market lasts throughout the Advent season until Christmas Eve.

This market event was first mentioned in 1434, under Friedrich II, an Elector of Saxony, when it was held the Monday before Christmas on the Altmarkt square. Originally, it was a one-day market to provide the citizens of Dresden with the meat for the Christmas meal after the pre-Christmas period of fasting.

Over the centuries the Striezelmarkt has developed into a huge event with 250 stands, taking up a large part of Dresden city centre and lasting throughout the Advent period until Christmas Eve. Today the Striezelmarkt attracts 3 million visitors a year from all over the world.

The word Striezelmarkt comes from Strüzel or Stroczel, which was the name of a type of cake sold at the market, now famous as Stollen or Christstollen. Stollen is a light airy fruitcake which is quite low in sugar, today available in many parts of the world. The true Dresden Stollen, however, is produced in the city and distinguished by a special seal depicting the city's famous king, August the Strong. The shape of the cake is meant to be reminiscent of the entrance to a mine tunnel (the literal meaning of Stollen) reflecting the area's silver and tin mining history.

Today the most famous features of Dresden Striezelmarkt are the world's largest usable Christmas arch with a breadth of 13.5 metres and a height of more than 5 metres and the 14-metre high Erzgebirge Christmas pyramid. Situated on the Dresden Striezelmarkt is a children’s adventure world. Here, the prune chimney sweep’s cottage and the bakery are open for kneading and arts and crafts. Furthermore, there is the puppet theatre, merry-go-round and a children’s railway. On the Dresden Striezelmarkt a daily stage programme takes place. On the Advent weekends are special events like Dresden Stollen Festival and Pyramid and Christmas Arch Festival.

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