Nuremberg Christmas Market - sausage, gingerbread and Christ Child antics
The Christmas Market in Nuremberg is one of the most famous Christmas markets in Europe. The setting of the market is beautiful, with almost two hundred stalls crammed into the traditionally cobbled square on the slope beneath the Frauenkirche. Of course there is the ubiquitous Christmas market mulled wine, which goes brilliantly with the gorgeous, tasty Nürnburger Bratwurst, a type of thin and spicy sausage, that is on offer. Other delights are the honey-gingerbread which is produced in the region.
The market opens on 28th November, and ends on Christmas Eve, allowing plenty of time for Christmas shopping.
This market itself has a long history, dating back to 1628, and was known as a regional centre for the trading of handmade wood figurines. The market certainly has some interesting traditions that go back into the mists of time. For example, every two years a young man or woman is appointed as a “Christ child”, who opens the market at an official ceremony, and then goes around the town spreading Christmas cheer in all manner of ways, dressed in an elaborate gold and white costume, with a large golden crown on their head.
The market looks especially spectacular in the evening, when it is lit with hundreds of tiny lights. The evening is made especially pleasant by the bands, ranging from brass bands to jazz bands, that arrive to entertain the market goers. With a glass of hot spicy wine, a couple of Bratwurst, and some good music to listen to, the Nuremberg market is pretty heavenly.
Filed under: Shopping, Christmas markets, Food, Music, Germany
