Germany’s most beautiful Christmas markets

Where does the Christmas market come from?

“The consumption scam is getting worse every year!” Complaints about the alleged commercialization of the nativity feast have been heard every year for at least 200 years. Because even in the 19th century a visit to the Christmas market was a happy family affair with lights and baskets full of gifts and sweets. At that time there was already an urban bourgeoisie, a middle class with free time and money for pre-Christmas shopping.

Before that, around 1300, the forerunners of today’s Christmas markets were fairly infrequent events—many lasting only one day—and traders were offering everyday items such as woolen panties, but mostly meat. In November, when the ribs of the cattle were sufficiently full, they were slaughtered, and in the cold season people, market owners and customers had more time – after all, the fieldwork was now idle.

Germany’s most beautiful Christmas markets

Children’s toys and tinsel are trending

Only in the 14th century were manufacturers of less useful products gradually allowed to open stalls in markets: toymakers, basket weavers or confectioners. Vendors selling chestnuts, nuts, and gingerbread did the same, finding enthusiastic customers—a sign that a wider segment of society now wants and is able to treat themselves.

At the beginning of the 17th century, carved Christmas cribs came from Italy, bestsellers such as pewter figures for children, now completely in vogue. The skeptics saw this with unease at the time and scolded his tendency to desecrate the work of Jesus’ birth with tinsel and sugar. But their call was largely ignored, and this has remained so to this day.

Marienplatz – Christmas market in Munich

It’s hard to imagine a more atmospheric backdrop than the majestic town hall tower. The largest and oldest Christmas market in Munich was first mentioned as Nikolaimarkt in 1310 and is therefore one of the oldest Christmas markets. In 1806, Nikolaimarkt was renamed Christmarkt. Since 1972, after several relocations, the market has found its normal place at Marienplatz. In the last few years, the scope of activity has been significantly expanded. With around 140 market stalls, it now looks forward to nearly three million visitors from all over the world. In addition to the extensive dining options, one of the attractions is the nearly 30-metre-tall Christmas tree with about 2,500 lights donated by a different town each year.

“Strezel Market” in Dresden

Dresden bazaar, which was first called “Strezelmarkt” in 1434, adorns itself with the title of “Germany’s oldest Christmas market”. Around 1500, “Christmas breads” were sold to citizens for the first time. The world-famous Dresden Christstollen owes its delicate consistency to Pope Innocent VIII (1432-1492). In his time, the Church banned the use of butter in baked goods before Christmas due to Lent. The Elector Ernst of Saxony and his brother Albrecht asked the Holy Father to reconsider. In fact, he lifted the ban on butter in 1491 – albeit in exchange for a small indulgence of butter to the church. The real stollen carries a seal today because many imitators try to do so. Otherwise, the market is known for Christmas crafts from Fichtelgebirge.

Christmas in Nuremberg

No plastic fir rice and fake Chläuse, no chalet-style stalls, no endless cycles of Christmas carols – Nuremberg city officials are sticking to tradition and banning any modern gadgets. Good for this offer. To this day, former domestic workers make plum men and gold leaf angels in the summer and then find their buyers at Christkindlesmarkt. The ambiance is as old-fashioned as can be, endlessly crooked half-timbered with slimy windows, and inns crammed tight and feasting on Franken sauerbraten and spicy Nuremberg sausages served in six-packs. The market was already large with 150 stalls in 1628. There isn’t much more to it today with the 203. Attractions are the separate children’s section and the international section with specialties from all over the world.