Christmas Markets in Dresden

Dresden rose to prominence as Saxony's capital under Augustus the Strong in the early 18th century, when the Elector transformed it into a baroque masterpiece. The city earned its reputation as the 'Florence on the Elbe' through architectural splendor and cultural sophistication. Devastated by Allied bombing in February 1945, Dresden lost much of its historic center, but decades of reconstruction have restored many beloved landmarks. Today the city honors both its baroque heritage and complex 20th-century history, embodying resilience and cultural continuity.

Christmas Market History: Dresden's Striezelmarkt claims to be Germany's oldest Christmas market, with documented origins dating to 1434. The market takes its name from the Striezel, an early form of the Stollen fruit bread that remains a Dresden specialty. Over nearly six centuries, the tradition has evolved from a simple meat market into a weeks-long celebration featuring the world's largest Christmas pyramid and the annual Stollenfest parade.