One of the most palatable winter vacations is in Berlin during Advent and Christmas time. Starting at the last week of November, dozens of Christmas markets are held in the city.
It would be a huge view to combine a few days cease in Berlin with a one day travel to Dresden, the contender of being the pioneer of Christmas markets in the world, or to other cities in eastern Germany, which have such events, such as Potsdam or Leipzig, is a spacious view. It only takes an hour and half to go from Berlin to Dresden or Leipzig by articulate, half an hour to Potsdam.
Today there are Christmas markets in many places in the world. However, we must not forget that the origin of this tradition is the German-speaking areas. The atmosphere in German markets, the products that are sold, especially the folk art objects, and the tasty food – all these characteristics are new.
What is Strietzel?
Although no one is clear that Dresden is indeed the position where this musty market was born, this city is doing everything to explain its title.
According to the official stand, Christmas market in Dresden, called Striezelmarkt, is celebrating next Christmas its 575th anniversary. Since 1434, the Dresden event has been in the square “venerable market” (Altmarkt) . During these many years it became a tremendous event, where hundreds of stalls in the city center, and sell beautiful Saxon art objects and other local products. Every weekend there is a special art present.
The market is named after the “Srietzel” (pronounced sh-t-ree-tsel), a very tasty cake studded with exiguous dried fruit cubes in it.
Guinness record-breaking
One of the newer attractions of Dresden market is a pyramid placed on the Market square. It is almost 15 meters colossal, and is registered with Guinness Book of Records. This Year the authorities concept to add another impressive gimmick: the world’s largest wooden arch. Its width will be more than 40 feet, its hight 5 meters. It is designed to be the main entrance gate of the Strietzelmarkt.
Dresden’s Christmas market attracts about 2 million tourists a year. It is especially favorable for families and children. Entrance fees are not too high.
The market will initiate this year in Dresden on Thursday, November 26 and will last until Christmas Eve, 24 December. It will begin every day at 10 am and stop in the evening. Details may be received at the Dresden Tourist Bureau. Address: Schlossstrasse. Phone:. (03 51) 5 01 60-1 60.
Music of Bach in Leipzig
Another city relatively terminate to Berlin is Leipzig.
Christmas Market in Leipzig was born “only” in the middle of the 18th century, but it has acquired areputation for its culinary and cultural uniqueness. Above all, it is playing concerts of the German composer Johann Sebastian Bach, whose name is associated with Leipzig in the celebrated churches, that makes Christmas in this city so special. The most illustrious arethe musical performances of the boys’ choir, called “Thomanerkor.
In Berlin, itself there are dozens of Christmas markets, in every square almost.
Potsdam Square’s Winter World
The old market at the Potsdam Square (Potsdamer Platz, in German), to be held from 23 November to 27 December, is combined with the events of the “Winter World” events. These events start on Saturday 31 October, and last until January 3, 2010.
Last year 2.5 million people took fraction in them. accelerate in cooperation with Salzburg, Austria, the Winter World includes a lot of winter sports competitions and attractions. Among other things, visitors are invited to ski down the toboggan, the largest of its kind in Europe, 12 meters high and 70 meters long.
You can also skate on the sliding surface (520 meters) .
The most dazzling Christmas markets
Berlin’s Lucia Christmas market is considered particularly fine. The market takes status in the compound called Culture Brewery, in the picturesque neighborhood Prenzlauer-Berg, from 23 November until 22 December.
Christmas market in the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church come the shopping avenue Kurfuerstendamm, annually attracts more than two million visitors.
Another recommended Christmas market is in the most gorgeous square in Berlin, called the Gendarmes Market (Gendarmenmarkt) .
At Sans-Souci Palace
Potsdam, the neighboring city of Prussian mansions, will have this year five Christmas market.
The central Market will bewitch spot, as every year, downtown Potsdam, in the station between Peter and Paul Church and Luizenplatz Square, not far from the Palace of Sans-Souci. Brandenburg kitchen specialties, artifacts and art will be sold in dozens of stalls.
Read more about traveling to Berlin, Potsdam, Dresden and Leipzig, walking routes, attractions, and obtain a lot of information and photos, in my web set, www.berlinwalking.com
