TravelWorld International Magazine Winter 2023

This one sits in the middle of a busy intersection
in the center of town on “Post Office Square”
(Postplatz). No shopping, but drinks and munchies
as well as curling lanes that are fun to watch
– you’ll find locals gathering after work and
pretending they are in the alps at a ski hut.
The 850-year-old Castle Wackerbarth winery
transforms its grounds into a holiday affair.
The Alpine Hut Magic Christmas
market is a gathering place for locals.
Just across the Augustus Bridge on the side of
town known as Neustadt (New City), the Augustus
Christmas market attracts an international crowd
and leans toward amusement park and midway in
flavor. Nevertheless, a walk across the bridge for its
views of the city and looking out over the market’s
carousel is worth the trip. Yes, you’ll still find hot
mulled wine and holiday goodies to eat.
Passing street cars are blurred with
a long exposure in this photo of the
Augustusmarkt entrance and Ferris wheel.
Today much beloved, the historic Blue
Wonder (Blauer Wunder) bridge was
considered a technological miracle
when it was first constructed in 1893.
Not a market per se, but a winery that celebrates the Christmas season on its estate with lights on its
terraces and buildings, music, and booths selling wine and goodies. on its estate. The winery itself dates
back about 850 years -- and it claims to have the first recipe for mulled wine ever developed. You can buy
bottles there of that wine, now called “Weiss & Heiss” (White & Hot) that is a delightfully light take on hot
spiced wines. Just a 40-minute tram ride from Dresden town center.
Elbhangfest is a small, quaint
Christmas market with
tasty treats and local crafts.
This one is outside of town in an area called Loschwitz near the “Blue Wonder” Bridge. The market literally snakes its
way along businesses and down the slope toward the Elbe river (thus the “hang” part of the name, which means slope
in German). Take a tram or bus because it’s worth experiencing such a quaint community market with an emphasis on
natural, local, and organic goods. Don’t forget to take in the TWO, yes two, historic funiculars, right there.
When you head to Germany or Europe to take in the festive holiday
spirit at Christmas markets, Dresden with the oldest market in the
world offers a must-see look at the season it fully embraces.
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