Each year Christmas Markets spring up
all over Germany in the weeks before the Christmas holiday, signaling the
beginning of Advent. This centuries-old tradition reaches back to the time when
regular seasonal markets took place throughout the year. Through the years,
each Christmas Market has stayed true to its own particularities, with each
specializing on local delicacies and traditional products. In the past, only
local tradesmen were allowed to see their merchandise at the city’s market,
which led to the distinctive regional character of today’s markets. Today,
German Christmas Markets serve much the same function as they have for
centuries, as a festive meeting place for locals and a market for homemade
Christmas ornaments and decorations.
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| Ryan and I at the Wiesbaden Christmas Market |
Despite the widespread belief Christmas
has only recently developed into a commercialized holiday, as early as the 17th
century, gift buying at Christmas Markets were held around the city’s main
church to attract church-goers. But the markets were so enticing that a priest
in Nürnberg in
1616 complained that he could not hold the afternoon service on Christmas Eve
because no one attended. It is likely the Christmas Markets drew more visitors
when religious reformer Martin Luther institute new customs for Christmas. Luther
suggested children receive presents from “the Christ child,” hence the name
“Christkindlsmarkt,” or literally “Christ Child Market” a popular name for many
Christmas Markets.
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| Rüdesheim Christmas Market |
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| Wiesbaden Christmas Market |
Today beautifully decorated stalls offer handicrafts
and gifts, festive baked treats, glühwein
and delicious regional specialties. All the while, choirs and brass bands
provide festive musical accompaniment. Throughout Germany, Christmas markets
celebrate seasonal customs and traditions in delightful historical settings. This
year Ryan and I spent our weekends visiting Christmas Markets in Wiesbaden,
Mainz, Rüdesheim, Bad
Münster, Hochheimer, and Würzburg.
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Marlena and I Enjoying Soup at the
Rüdesheim Christmas Market |
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| Nativity Scene at Rüdesheim Christmas Market |
The Rüdesheim Christmas Market is
definitely one of my favorites. The market takes place in the romantic old town
with 120 stalls, representing 12 countries, gathering to present Christmas
customs and traditions from around the world. This year I was able to visit the
Rüdesheim Christmas Market with my good friend Marlena Ford. We took the time
to sample some Rüdesheim Coffee, which is exclusively made with
locally distilled Brandy, whipped cream, and traditionally served in an
authentic Rüdesheim coffee set. Europe’s biggest Nativity scene can also be
found in Rüdesheim with life-size figures, which can be admired on the market
square.
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| Rüdesheim Coffee |
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| Marlena and I Enjoying Our Rüdesheim Coffee |
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