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Christmas Markets in Germany are a feast for the senses. Roasted chestnuts,
gingerbread, almonds and mulled wine. Small wooden stalls filled with colourful toys
and Christmas decorations of all types and kinds. And once it gets dark and
everything is festively lit, the markets are truly at their best. There is a kind of magic
in the air and you can feel, yes, Christmas is drawing near
Christmas Markets are an important German Christmas tradition. In former times a
town's or city's Christmas Market was in general just one of many markets that were
held throughout the year. Back then markets had been major events to look forward
to. It was a welcome change and interruption of everyday life and there was so much
to do, to see and to buy. 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 were
people bought moulds and cutters for baking, candles, Christmas decorations,
cookies, sweets and pastries and of course, toys for the children. But there were also
clothes, fabrics and shoes as well as books, calendars and perfumes for sale since
all of these were popular gifts too. 
Usually the Christmas Market would take place around the main church. This way the
market attracted many visitors due to its central location as well as due to the fact
that the church-goers would have to pass the market. And they really liked to look
around the market and buy many a gift or sweet. So it does not really come as a
surprise that a parish priest in Nuremberg complained in the year 1616 that the
afternoon service on Christmas Eve did not take place since nobody showed up for
the service. Instead, everybody was out and about buying Christmas presents.
Dresden's Christmas Market is considered Germany's oldest Christmas Market. It
was first mentioned in a document in 1434 and is thus believed to be even older than
Nuremberg's Christmas Market. However, it is not quite certain, when Nuremberg's
Market took place for the first time, but the oldest proof of its existence dates back to
the year 1628. Among Germany's oldest Christmas Markets are those of Augsburg,
Bad Wimpfen, Frankfurt and Rothenburg. These markets originated some time in the
15th century. But also Lübeck, Regensburg and Stuttgart are considered very old
and traditional Christmas Markets. They date back to the 17th century. 
When Christmas Markets were held for the first time, they were actually often
considered winter markets or St. Nicholas markets and only gradually evolved to
today's Christmas Markets. Unlike today the markets often lasted for only a day or
two. Some markets did not even have any stalls. It is reported that the Christmas
Market in Hamelin was originally without any stalls and all goods and merchandise
were spread out on the street.
Over time each Christmas Market developed in its own characteristic way. 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. Aachen's market is still known for its famous
gingerbread "Aachener Printen". The Christmas Markets in the East German region
of the Erzgebirge are known for their excellent wooden arts and crafts. Nuremberg's
market is famous for its gingerbread, gold foil angels and prune men and Dresden for
its Stollen (a Christmas pastry). But besides local products the markets are also
characterized by regional traditions as well as by their unique historic backdrops 
During the past years cities have been putting in extra effort to distinguish their
markets from other cities' markets, and thus it is that many German cities nowadays
offer real superlatives. The city of Schlitz offers the world's biggest candle. Dortmund
has the world's biggest Christmas tree. Osnabrück has the world's biggest music box.
Dresden has the world's biggest pyramid with tiers. The competition is likely to
continue.
Today almost every town and city seems to have a Christmas Market. Most typically
the markets last for about four weeks. However, some markets last for just a day or
two, while others last even up to after Christmas Eve. Particularly 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 and Frankfurt are also visited by millions every Christmas season.
Germany's and at the same time Europe's biggest Christmas Market is Stuttgart's
market. It is considered one of the most beautiful Christmas Markets in Europe.
Germany's Christmas Markets have become so popular by now that they have been
copied by many nations abroad. And some markets have actually been "exported".
Frankfurt's Christmas Market has already taken place in Birmingham, Manchester
and Edinburgh, and Chicago now has a Christmas Market following Nuremberg's
concept. |
