Last week, I visited Dresden for an overnight trip from November 30 to December 1 to attend a social entrepreneur event. During the event, I gave a presentation and demo, which was a rewarding experience. Afterward, I had the chance to spend some quality time with my family in the wonderfully festive atmosphere of the city.
Among Germany's Christmas markets, the ones in Nuremberg and Dresden are especially famous. I've always wanted to visit them, but the thought of a day trip felt too tiring, and the cost of hotels during the holiday season always held me back. Then came this work trip—what a perfect excuse 😁
I especially wanted to see the biggest Christmas market, called Striezelmarkt, at night. Since the event venue was a bit outside the city center, we splurged on a taxi to make it to the market for its last hour. My daughter had the idea to bring along this little one (her name is Puppie).
We walked around the market, soaking in the peaceful festive vibe, and saw one of the things I was looking forward to: the Christmas Pyramid (Weihnachtspyramide). This tower-like structure is based on traditional Christmas decorations from Erzgebirge in Saxony, the same region where Leipzig and Dresden are located. The Striezelmarkt Christmas Pyramid is one of the largest in the world, and its beauty really stood out. My daughter and I admired it together, thinking about how wonderful woodwork can be.
There was also a high point from which you could get a bird’s-eye view of the market. We went up and took in the warmth of the Christmas atmosphere. It felt like a comforting way to bid farewell to November, a month I’m good at handling.
After exploring the market, my daughter enjoyed some cotton candy while I warmed up with a glass of mulled wine (Glühwein). The night was quite cold, so the hot drink was the perfect way to end our evening before heading back to the hotel for deep rest.
The next day, we walked around smaller markets before heading to a café my partner had booked for a Stollen tasting. Stollen is said to have originated in Dresden, so as a big fan of this traditional Christmas bread, I couldn’t pass up the chance to try it here. Stollen is a festive German treat that dates back to the 15th century. Dresden’s version, known as Dresdner Stollen, has Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status, meaning only those made in Dresden can carry the name.
At Café Vis-á-Vis, a cozy little spot, we tried three types of Stollen: one filled with poppy seeds, another with marzipan, and the classic version packed with nuts and dried fruits.
Each one was rich, moist, and full of buttery sweetness—definitely a taste of winter. I’m not usually a fan of poppy seeds in large quantities, but the poppy seed Stollen was surprisingly delightful, with a filling that reminded me of Japanese red bean paste. It got me thinking: maybe I could try making a Japanese-inspired Stollen with red bean paste and matcha.
That was our Dresden adventure. Visiting during the Christmas season can be pricey, with hotels in high demand, but I’m so glad I finally got the chance to experience the Striezelmarkt. If you’re planning to visit Dresden during the winter holidays, don’t forget to explore the markets and try the Stollen!
先週、ドレスデンで開催された社会起業家のイベントに参加するため、11月30日から12月1日にかけて一泊二日でドレスデンを訪れました。イベントではプレゼンとデモを行い、充実した時間を過ごし、そのあとは家族とクリスマスムードのあふれる街でよい時間を過ごせました。
ドイツのクリスマスマーケットの中でも、ニュルンベルクとドレスデンのものは特に有名で、一度行ってみたかったのですが、日帰りは億劫だけれど、ホテルが高いしなあ・・・と何年も延期していました。そんなときにこの出張！ということでノリノリで出かけて行きました。
特に夜にStriezelmarktと呼ばれる一番大きなクリスマスマーケットを見たくて、市内から少し離れたイベント会場から、ちょっと奮発してタクシーで最後の一時間に駆け込みました。子供のアイディアでこの子（Puppie、プッピー）も連れてきました。
マーケットを一周見て回って、お目当ての一つだったクリスマス・ピラミッド（Weihnachtspyramide）も見られました。この塔のようなオブジェは、私が住んでいるライプツィヒやドレスデンと同じザクセン州にあるエルツ地方（Erzgebirge）で生まれた伝統的なクリスマスの装飾品を大きくしたものです。Striezelmarktのクリスマス・ピラミッドはちょっと知られた存在で、世界で最も大きいものの一つと言われています。きれいだな、木っていいな・・・としみじみ子供と眺めていました。
マーケットを一望できる高台のような場所もあったので登ってみました。クリスマスのあたたかな雰囲気の中で無事苦手な11月が終えられそうでホッと一息つきました。
ひとしきり散策して、子供は綿飴、私はグリューワイングリューワイン（ホットワイン）を楽しみました。かなり冷え込んだので、グリューワインを飲んでホテルに戻ってゆっくり休みました。
翌日は小さなマーケットを見て歩いて、相方が予約していたカフェでのシュトレン（Stollen）の食べ比べに向かいました。シュトレンはドレスデン発祥とされていて、シュトレン好きとしては本場のシュトレンを食べずにはいられません。シュトレンはドイツの伝統的なクリスマス菓子で、15世紀に生まれたものだとか。ドレスデンのシュトレンは「ドレスナー・シュトレン（Dresdner Stollen）」と呼ばれ、地理的表示保護制度（PGI）の対象になっていて、ドレスデンで作られたものだけがその名前を名乗ることができます。
落ち着いたCafé Vis-á-Visというカフェで、ケシの実のフィリングのシュトレン、マジパンシュトレン、伝統的なナッツとドライフルーツがたくさん入ったシュトレンの3種類を食べ比べました。
どれもしっとりどっしり、たっぷりバターと砂糖を使っているなという冬なお味でおいしくいただきました。私はケシの実の量が多いのはそこまで得意ではないのですが、大量のケシのみが使われていたにもかかわらず、ケシの実のシュトレンもぺろっと食べられたのは、なんとなくフィリングがあんこのような味だったからかもしれません。あんこと抹茶の生地で和風シュトレン作れそうだな、試作してみようかな・・・なんて。
この時期のドレスデンは、クリスマスマーケットでホテル代が高騰してなかなか手が出ませんでしたが、念願叶って、クリスマスマーケットをゆっくり見に行けてうれしかったです。クリスマスシーズンにドレスデンを訪れる人はクリスマスマーケットだけでなく、シュトレンもお忘れなく！
[//]:# ([//]:# (!worldmappin 51.04964 lat 13.73797 long Striezelmarkt opens at Altmarkt in Christmas time d3scr))
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Thank you for providing the service. I look forward to add more pins. I have plans to travel to Portugal & India next year 💪
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Look at some really nice pictures my friend, have a nice day
Thanks, you too!
The German Christmas markets are probably the most (world) famous for their beauty as their tradition dates through centuries! I never visited one, but my friend who lives in Munich sends me Christmas market photos every year!
I do like poppy seeds as my grandmother was preparing the strudel with poppy seeds filling! Btw. it looks like Puppie liked that hot wine too... 😂 🍷
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Certainly the Munich Christmas market is beautiful 😊
Surprisingly I liked the poppie seed Strudel a lot. So I may be Germnized over the last years 😁
Hello from Puppie too!