From 23 November 2026 to 10 January 2027, the 51st Speyer Christmas and New Year Market takes over Maximilianstraße. The stalls line the central pedestrian zone, which runs from Domplatz to the Altpörtel. The market is a good reason for a weekend that goes beyond lights and mulled wine: within just a few streets are two UNESCO World Heritage sites that tell very different chapters of the city’s story.
A cathedral as a symbol of power
Construction of Speyer Cathedral began in 1030, and it has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1981. The German Commission for UNESCO identifies it as a key work of Romanesque architecture. Its imposing vaults and elongated structure also speak of the Salian emperors’ claims to power: Conrad II commissioned the church as a monumental statement of his rule. The building continued to evolve over the centuries; after the devastating fire of 1689, parts were rebuilt and later remodelled again.
For an Advent visit, it is worth setting aside a dedicated slot for the cathedral before the market draws your attention. According to the cathedral chapter’s leaflet, dated November 2024, from 1 November to 31 March the cathedral is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm, and on Sundays and public holidays from 11.30am to 5pm. Services or special events may restrict sightseeing; check current opening times in advance.
History becomes tangible in the Judenhof
Just a few lanes away from the cathedral lies the Judenhof (Jewish courtyard), part of the SchUM Sites of Speyer, Worms and Mainz, inscribed in 2021. SchUM refers to the initial Hebrew letters of the three cities’ names. Within their medieval network, the communities were important centres of Jewish scholarship and religious life.
In Speyer, the remains of the synagogue consecrated in 1104 and the adjoining Frauenschul (women’s prayer hall) survive. The mikveh is particularly evocative: a vaulted stairway leads down to the ritual bath, whose water level fluctuated with the groundwater. The neighbouring Museum SchPIRA displays archaeological finds and architectural elements. For the winter months of November to April, the city lists opening hours as Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm; the Judenhof is closed on Mondays. Here, too, check for changes before visiting.
Explore the market and old town on foot
The market stretches from the Altpörtel towards the cathedral, creating a lively route through the city centre. Those who visit the cathedral and Judenhof first can then round off their walk on Maximilianstraße. This brings home how close the two World Heritage sites are, without conflating their histories: the cathedral represents imperial building policy and Romanesque architecture, while the Judenhof bears witness to medieval Jewish communal life — as well as its ruptures and destruction.
Speyer is accessible by train and bus. Buses run from the main railway station to Domplatz; routes and departures depend on the day of travel, so consult an up-to-date journey planner shortly before setting off. The city gives the market’s regular retail stall opening hours as 11am to 8pm. Food and drink stalls close between 9pm and 10pm, depending on the day of the week; different hours apply on public holidays. A visit on an Advent Saturday thus allows you to combine the market, cathedral and Judenhof as three stops on a compact cultural weekend.
Original reviewed by the editors · 11 November 2026
