The Christmas market fever in Germany is almost ending. Some will take place until the 24th of December. Some might be later this month or before New Year. But there is a Christmas city you can visit in Germany that has the spirit of this holiday all year round, it is Rothenburg od der Tauber. Anyway, I will share some images of this city very soon.

What I am sharing now is about the Christmas market in Regensburg, a beautiful city in Bavaria, Germany. Its market is currently held at the Neupfarrplatz, a square in the city center of Regenbsurg. It is sometimes great to experience event and celebration like this to unwind or simply go out from the your house to enjoy especially the holidays season.

You can see a lot of things at the Christmas market. Cookies, cinnamon stars, roasted chestnuts can be tasted inn many stalls of the market. Tasting a glass Glühwein or mulled wine and a roll with roasted sausages is a must and will surely keep you warm during this cold season. Christmas decors and other handmade goods and products can also be bought in many stalls there. Sometimes it is good to visit during the night so that you can see all the lights and Christmas illuminations in the city. For small visitors you will find a carousel with nice wooden horses, coaches and little cars.

The last day of Nürnberg or Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt (Christmas Market) 2010 is on December 24, 2010. The stalls will be closed at around 2:00 PM. This years's event started last November 26,2010. I believed that this year's Christmas Market is again a memorable and successful one. It was a very delightful experience visiting it for the fourth time this year.

I am sharing some images from this year's Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Bavaria, Germany.

Lebkuchen or Gingerbread and Sweets of various kinds are also available

tasting a Glühwein (glow wine, also called mulled wine) will let you forget for awhile the freezing cold weather while strolling at the Christkindlesmarkt.

HISTORY

Nuremberg's Christmas Market is one of Germany's oldest Christmas fairs. The pre-Christmas event on Nuremberg's Main Market Square dates back to the mid 16th century. The first mention in writing is from 1628. The following inscription in black ink was found at the bottom of an oval, 19-centimeter-long spruce bentwood box decorated with flowers – now in the possession of the Germanisches Nationalmuseum: "Sent to Regina Susanna Harßdörfferin by Miss Susanna Eleonora Erbsin (or Elbsin) on the occasion of the Christmas Market of 1628".

140 Stall Holders in the 18th Century

A list from 1737 demonstrates that almost all Nuremberg craftsmen were represented on the market. 140 persons were entitled to offer goods for sale.

Towards the end of the 19th century, the Christmas Market became less important. It shifted to various venues within the city, and was only revived in the 1930s. The National Socialists made good use of the well-established traditional event which enhanced Nuremberg's image as the "Treasure Chest of the German Reich" and was a welcome supplement to their own calendar of festive events. In 1933, the Christmas Market moved back to the Main Market Square and was a much Romanticised event. An actress dressed up as the Christmas Angel, accompanied by two golden Christmas tree fairies, recited a prologue, a children's choir sang, and church bells rang. During World War II, no Christmas Market was held in Nuremberg.
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The Christkindlesmarkt or Christmas Market in Nuremberg is a famous event in this city and one of the biggest in Germany. It is held annually at the Hauptmarkt in the Old Town of Nuremberg. It is one of the famous Christmas Market in the world today, thus attracting around two million visitors every year.

If you happened to visit the Nuremberg Christmas Market, don't forget to taste their famous Lebkuchen (ginger bread), the Glühwein (mulled claret), Pralinen (chocolates), gebratene Mandeln (roasted almonds) and some other homemade delicacies and especialties from Nuremberg and other places in Germany. Christmas decors of all sorts and other products are also found here.

Here are some images I took during my visit last December 2008. I had been to the Christkindlesmarkt here four times already. I might visit it again this year.


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History of Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt

Despite intense investigations carried out by several historians and people interested in local history, the origins of the “Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt” are unknown. The oldest piece of evidence, however, is a box made of coniferous wood. On the bottom you can find the following inscription: “Regina Susanna Harßdörfferin from the virgin Susanna Eleonora Erbsin (or Elbsin) sent to the “Kindles-Marck” in 1628. At the moment the box is in the possession of the Germanic National Museum in Nuremberg.

In official documents, the words „Kindleinbescheren“ (handing out presents to children) or “Weihnachtszeit” (Christmas time) are used time and again since 1610. It is not quite clear, however, whether these words have something to do with the “Christkindlesmarkt”. Historians assume that the market has its origins in traditional sales on the weekly market between 1610 and 1639 and that it gradually evolved into an independent market. Originally, the market opened on Thomas’ Day, December 4. Due to the large number of visitors, opening day was rescheduled to the Friday before the first Advent in 1973 and has remained so ever since. There were no markets between 1939 and 1948. more info here

The Christmas Markets are starting now in most cities and towns in Germany. A Christmas market is called in German as Christkindlesmarkt, Christkindlmarket, Christkindlmarkt and Weihnachtsmarkt. It is a street market that is being held together with the celebration of Christmas. It usually starts before the first Sunday of Advent. It is said that Germany has held the first Christmas market in the Late Middle Ages.

One of the famous Christmas markets in Germany is held in Nürnberg or Nuremberg, a city in the state of Bavaria, Germany. The Christmas market in this city attracts around two millions of visitors every year. This is also the reason why the Christmas market in Nuremberg has become a major tourist attraction. Christkindlesmarkt is composed of three words; Christ (Christ), kindles (Child) and markt (market).

I have been to the Christmas market in Nuremberg for three times already. For sure, I will be always coming back if given the chance. Here are some of the images I took during my visit last December 2008.


Popular attractions at the market include the Nativity Scene (a crèche or crib), Zwetschgamännla (figures made of decorated dried plums), Nussknacker (carved Nutcrackers), Gebrannte Mandeln (candied, toasted almonds), traditional Christmas cookies such as Lebkuchen and Magenbrot (both forms of soft gingerbread), Christstollen (Stollen), a sort of egg bread with candied fruit, Bratwurst, and for many visitors one of the highlights of the market: Glühwein, hot mulled wine (with or without a shot of brandy), or Eierpunsch (an egg-based warm alcoholic drink). Both help stave off the cold winter air which sometimes dips below freezing. Many other handmade items, toys, books, Christmas tree decorations and ornaments (and in recent years less useful gadgets) can be found at a Christkindlmarkt.

1. Munich’s Christmas Market

Christkindlmarkt, the Christmas market in Munich, Germany is hosted at Marienplatz, in the center of Munich’s Old Town. The very first Christmas market in Munich was held in 1642 and rapidly became famous for its gingerbread, Christmas crackers, manger figurines and chimney sweeps made from plums and almonds. Every evening at 5:30pm the balcony of Munich’s Town Hall hosts a free concert filled with inspiring and traditional Christmas music. Inside the Town Hall, a “Heavenly Worship” for the children between the ages of 6 and 12 is held and offers arts, crafts and cookie baking.

2. Christmas Market of Dresden

The oldest Christmas market in Germany is hosted in the city of Dresden and dates back to 1434. The Dresden Market is famous for its world’s biggest nut cracker and a giant Christmas pyramid. They host a 45 foot high wooden carousel with life sized angels and breathtaking scenes from the nativity. The Dresden market is also known for its traditional Christmas cake, Stollen. The market celebrates the treat with a “Stollen Festival”, where they offer the world’s largest Christmas cake.

3. Christmas Market of Nuremberg

Nuremberg offers a unique Christmas market that takes place on the main square in the center of old town. The highlight of this Christmas market is its opening day celebration. The Christmas Angel, always played by a local girl, reads from the balcony of the Nuremberg Cathedral. The market is dotted with 180 traditionally decorated huts, that the locals call “our little town of wood and cloth.” Be sure to take a few moments and try the little Nuremberg Bratwursts and some gingerbread cookies or “Lebkuchen”.

4. Christmas Markets of Berlin

Berlin hosts more than 60 different Christmas markets and gift fairs. For those who wish a truly traditional market, the historic market at the Gendarmenmarkt, is not to be missed. Close to Friedichstabe, it is framed by the brightly lit French and German Cathedrals. You can wander through the booths and visit the heated tent where craftsman are hard at work creating toys, gold jewelry and wood crafts.

5. Christmas Markets of Cologne

The Christmas market held in front of the Cologne Cathedral is only one of the many offered by the city of Cologne but it is by far the most impressive. While strolling through the various vendors make sure to try a cup of hot Gluhwein, spiced mulled wine, and watch the artisans at work. They offer free Christmas concerts nightly in front of the Cathedral. The Market is proud to host the largest Christmas tree in the region and is a must see for the holiday season.

Photo by: Heather

Christmas market or Chriskindlesmarkt is almost coming in Germany. I took these photos last year in Nuremberg or Nuernberg in Bavaria, Germany. This city is one of the famous cities in Germany that held Christmas market every year. I always visit this city almost every year but this year I can't do it because I will be spending Christmas in my home country, Philippines. That is also the reason why I have bid goodnight for now. It will be a long journey starting tomorrow. take care guys and just enjoy viewing my photos below. Have a blessed holiday season in advance. God bless us all! also praying for my safe and sound trip back home!
A Christmas market, also known as Christkindlmarkt, Christkindlesmarkt, Christkindlmarket, and Weihnachtsmarkt, is a street market associated with the celebration of Christmas during advent, mainly the four weeks preceding Christmas Day. These markets originated in Germany and Austria but are now being held in many other countries.
Every year, Germany's most famous Christmas Market opens its stalls for visitors from all over the world, right in the middle of the city, on Nuremberg Main Market Square. At 5.30 p.m. on the Friday before the first Advent Sunday, the Christmas Angel opens her market, reciting the solemn prologue from the gallery of the church of Our Lady. And as every year, by Christmas Eve, more than two million visitors from all over the world will have sampled the delights of the Christmas Market.

About 180 wooden stalls, festooned with red-and-white cloth, have given the Christmas Market its name of "Little Town from Wood and Cloth". 200 stall holders present their traditional wares: Nuremberg spicy gingerbread, fruit loaves, bakery goods and sweets, typical Christmas articles such as Christmas tree angels, cribs, Christmas tree ornaments and candles, toys as well as arts and crafts products. Favourite souvenirs include "Nuremberg Plum People", little figures made from prunes. And of course, by way of refreshments, there are always rolls with Nuremberg roast sausages and mugs of mulled wine.

The staff of the Market Department keep a watchful eye on the stalls and the goods on offer. So plastic fir garlands are a definite no-no, just as much as non-stop taped Christmas muzak or carousels. The market's stall holders also compete for the most beautiful and tasteful stall design. And reap their rewards: since 1981, the City has presented an annual award of gold, silver and bronze "Plum People" for the most beautiful stalls.

Nuremberg Christmas Market with its traditional image has also been a model for other Christmas Markets. The "Little Town from Wood and Cloth" has also been much in demand as a picturesque backdrop for TV productions. more infos here

This Tree Lady is always present every year during the Christkindlmarkt or Christmas Market in Nuremberg..I had seen her three times already...

copyright photo by: Euroangel