Advent calendars have been a cherished German tradition since the 19th century. They act as a delightful door to places we cannot see but can imagine. They also serve as a countdown to Christmas Eve, beginning on the first of December. Each morning a new door is opened. What’s behind the door, remains a secret, until that day. Children naturally prefer Advent calendars filled with chocolate, an invention from Dresden. SIGHTGEIST – THE SAXONY MAGAZINE‘s video Advent calendar is filled with intriguing true stories from Saxony.

 
So, even though we are not able to visit Saxony’s Christmas markets in person, you can still fill your eyes and ears with some of the beautiful places in Saxony. You can virtually transport yourself to this highly sophisticated musical and artistic state that is home to Dresden and Leipzig, Görlitz, Chemnitz, Seiffen, and Bautzen. Normally, these cities would be buzzing with visitors and travelers coming to see the Christmas markets, the art and architecture and to hear the beautiful music, but this year we can enjoy the sights right from our desks and look forward to next year.

Windplayers from Annaberg Buchholz Mining Parade
 
Open a new door to a daily video Advent calendar from December 1 to 24. This could become your December routine with your first cup of coffee. Here are some magical teasers about things you might learn more about...

Annabergsweihnachtmarkt

Did you know...

* Why the famous Moravian stars were created?

Herrnhut Sterne
 
* From what terrible fate the rare and valuable large Zittau Lenten Veil picture Bible was saved at the end of World War II?
 
* Where a house is located that is as famous as Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater?
 
* That there was a real-life Rapunzel who could not grow her hair long enough?
 
* The famous Stollen Christmas cake comes originally from Dresden and was invented in the 15th century! Its predecessor, the Striezel, was a dry affair made from flour and water only, since the time before Christmas was also a time of Lent. But, after repeated requests from the Saxon rulers, the Pope issued the Butter Letter, allowing the use of other ingredients as well – for a handsome fee, that was. The Dresdeners happily went overboard and not only added lots of butter, but also sugar, almonds, and other ingredients to create something completely different – the rich Stollen cake that we know and love today.

Annaberg Pyramid von Manfred Lohse

Starting December 1, you can tune in each day to a new Advent calendar video and delightful Saxon Christmas stories and traditions at https://www.saxonytraveldreams.com/christmas/

Seiffen Schwiboggen by Silvio Dittrich, Saxony Tourism

All information and photos contained herein published with permission, Saxony Tourism. Word photo adapted by Wandering Educators.