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Traditional Markets
On the Friday before the first Sunday of Advent, the Christmas spectacle, which goes by the name of "Christkindle's Markt" or "Christkindchesmarkt" is opened in many cities and towns all across Germany. These pre-Christmas Markets can be traced back to the middle of the 15th Century. They began as one of many markets that were held throughout the year. The Christmas Market was traditionally the place to go to in order to buy all the things needed for the Christmas celebration. It was here where people bought moulds and cutters for baking, candles, Christmas decorations, cookies, sweets, pastries and toys for the children. 
Christmas Markets in Germany are a feast for the senses. The scent of roasted chestnuts, gingerbread, cinnamon, sweet almonds and mulled wine is in the air. Wooden stalls, decorated with fir twigs, Christmas balls, angels and other Christmas decorations of different types and kinds are set up usually around the main church or the market square of a city, offering typical treats, craftwork, Christmas tree ornaments, glass-blowers and wooden toys. Caroling, Christmas concerts, church bells pealing, as well as a visit from Santa Clause and Nativity cribs put up on the market all add to the festive holiday ambience for visitors. 
Over time the Christmas Markets in different cities developed in their own characteristic ways. In the past it was common that only local traders and merchants were allowed to sell their products on the Christmas Market. And so each market had slightly different features and was known for different specialties. Dresden's Christmas Market, called the "Striezelmarkt", is considered Germany's oldest Christmas Market from around 1434. Among Germany's oldest Christmas Markets are those of Augsburg, Bad Wimpfen, Frankfurt and Rothenburg. These markets originated in the 15th century. Lübeck, Regensburg and Stuttgart are also considered very old and traditional Christmas Markets. They date back to the 17th century. Aachen's market is known for its famous gingerbread "Aachener Printen". The Christmas Markets in the East German region of the Ore Mountains, the "Erzgebirge", are known for their wooden arts and crafts and Nuremberg's market is famous for its gingerbread, gold foil angels and prune men. Most typically the markets last for about four weeks. However, some markets last for just a day or two. The main markets draw large crowds of visitors every year. Berlin's market at the Memorial Church attracts most visitors with about 4 million every year. But Nuremberg, Stuttgart, Munich, Dresden, Cologne and Frankfurt are also visited by millions every Christmas season. 
The Christmas Market is at its most romantic in the evening when it is
festively lit. It is most crowded on weekend weekdays and usually in the
evening there is plenty of room to stroll through the stalls. |
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