...Striezelmarkt! A Christmas wonderland in the heart of Dresden, Germany. An ancient city with a rich and conflicted history. Levelled by Allied bombing in WWII. Spectacularly revived after decades of decay and neglect under Communist rule. This is where you'll find Germany's oldest Christmas market. There are many Christmas markets going on throughout Dresden during Advent, but you'll find the main event here in the Altmarkt section of the city. Striezelmarkt...
1. The perfect place to eat traditional Saxon treats.
"Brat-a-licious"
Dresden, Germany
2. Drink (Gluhwein, of course!)
"Got Gluhwein?"
Dresden, Germany
Gluhwein = Glow Wine = Hot Wine = Mulled Wine = Ausgezeichnet!
Even better? You "rent" the glass mugs to drink the steaming deliciousness. This is a "No Red Solo Cup" zone!
3. Shop the 250+ stalls for traditional, and non-traditional, German Christmas crafts, decor and wares.
"That's My Mom!"
Dresden, Germany
4. Get lost in the crowd of the 3 million visitors a year.
"Lost in
Dresden, Germany
5. Absorb the Christmas spirit.
"The Erzgebirge Pyramid and the Kreuzkirche"
Dresden, Germany
Dresden, Germany
(The world's largest Erzgehirge pyramid stands 48' tall)
5 (b). And after all that, I dare you NOT to be merry.
"Striezelmarkt Fun"
Dresden, Germany
"Bringing out the Merry"
I triple dog dare you to be a Grinch after visiting the Striezelmarkt. 580 years of experience in bringing out the jollies in even the most bah-humbug of us. Coming from a second-generation German-American family I can honestly tell ya ONE little fact...
I've never been around so many Germans smiling at one time.
Very cool!
P.S. Yes, I know it's March. Yes, I know it's not Christmas anymore. Yes...this is how long it sometimes takes me to edit my photos. But in my defense, got 10 more inches of snow last night so...ho, ho, freakin' ho.
Here's where I "link up" today.
(click on image for description of Song-ography)
Next Tuesday's Song-ography title suggestion is "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin. Come back and link up! (blog, instagram, flickr photos welcome).
I wondered if you were "late or early" for Christmas but hey I love Christmas so it didn't really matter. Looks like an awesome place to visit, window shop, eat etc....You had some truly wonderful photos here today and I enjoyed them all.
ReplyDeleteLove it! It's pretty brown around here so the color is most welcome. Xo
ReplyDeleteVery festive! Wonderful snaps!
ReplyDeleteSuch a cacophony of sights! All of those colors and textures and things. I'm not sure I would know where to begin. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWow!! I've scrolked through the post several times not wanting to miss a thing!! Such awesome photos and I'm sure they brought back happy memories editing them.
ReplyDeleteWOW. it's Christmas time already? Time sure goes fast. Great shots. Tom The Backroads Traveller
ReplyDeleteoh these are like looking through a magazine! i want to go now! how much fun!
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE to go to Dresden! What fun at Christmas, especially! Great photos!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed looking through your interesting images a second time, so much like a travel magazine! Thank you for coming by sharing your creative photography on the Weekly Top Shot, #168!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place to get in the holiday spirit!
ReplyDeleteOh so enjoyed your trip to Dresden, and I sure know about editing pictures way after the fact!!
ReplyDeleteIt was so nice to do Christmas in March!! so thanks for the trip and the great pictures! Laughed so hard with your comments about being surrounded by happy germans!!!
ReplyDeleteWOWZER... So many wonderful photos. I Loved them all.
ReplyDeleteHugs~
Wow. Amazing. So many wonderful pictures, it must be an amazing place to visit.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely loved this post. Enjoy your 'eye' when capturing the scenes in the photos.
ReplyDeleteMarvelous shots...and I woke up to snow flakes as well♪ http://lauriekazmierczak.com/palmed-orb/
ReplyDeleteI am so happy that you enjoyed your time in Germany and that you managed to visit the market in Dresden.It must have been a great experience and a special treat for you to go there with your mother and sister!
ReplyDeleteSuch bright, beautiful colorful scenes! I just love these.
ReplyDeleteTen more inches of snow, seriously?? At this rate you'll still be able to post Christmas photos well into June. I'm not really into crowds, but that all looks so festive and fun that I think even I'd enjoy it. But with all those marvelous goodies to buy, I'm afraid I'd have to leave my clothes behind so my suitcase could hold all my purchases for the trip home.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely fabulous photos! So much color. I can visualize myself being "unleashed" in that place! :D
ReplyDeleteHere via Sundays in my City!
It is rather lovely to see Christmas pictures now... makes me happy it is March but also look forward to that pretty time of year again when it comes round
ReplyDeleteMollyxxx