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Kampa market at night

Readers of my previous posts could be forgiven to presume christmas markets to be a tradition observed only in German-speaking countries. It couldn’t be further from the truth as my recent trip to Prague showed.

Prague castle at night

The capital of the Czech Republic is a lovely place to visit at any time of the year, but during Christmas time it unravels an even more distinctive European charm. The Czechs love their mulled wine and grilled sausages just as much as their neighbours and lots of stalls hawking presents, souvenirs and snacks line the medieval streets. A Christmas tree adorned most public spaces and houses were decked out with brushwood garlands and Christmas wreaths.

Old Prague Ham

]The most romantic market was a couple of rows of stalls on Kampa island near St. Charles bridge. Only a map reveals that Kampa was once a proper island in the Vltava river – today it is linked by so many bridges to the Mala Strana (Lesser town) that it doesn’t feel like much of an island any more. In the morning the christmas market was blanketed in smoke from the many vendors firing up their ham and sausage barbecue ovens.

The Kampa market really came to life in the evening, when the local police force had their annual Christmas bash in the market just outside their station. A band and choir were on stage singing songs with the kids of the police men and women while their colleagues were busy chopping up more fire wood to keep the punters warm – and all the while they were posing with local kids for the evening news of local TV station.

See all photos of Christmas time in Prague in the Christmas markets 5 album below:

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Candle stall in Bamberg

Every town in Germany has a Christmas market of some sort. They are so abundant that one might presume Germans to subsist solely on mulled wine, punch, bratwurst (grilled sausage) and gingerbread. On my trip to Nuremberg to take a look at Rauschgoldengel (tinsel angel) and Zwetschgermännla (prune men) I also visited the towns of Bamberg and Herzogenaurach that have Christmas traditions of their own.

Bamberg is famous for its nativity scenes which can be seen all over town, in the cathedral and various museums. I was not the least surprised then to find a market stall that sells DIY nativity scene components, such as figures of naked baby Jesus if you want to rool your own.

Christmas sausages

Germany as a nation is famous the world over for its sausages and dressing up a big fat “wurst” in a Santa costume seems to be the butcher’s way to go for Christmas marketing.

Herzogenaurach

The little town of Herzogenaurach does not share the rich christmas traditions of Nuremberg or Bamberg, as it is merely known as the head quarter of a large sports equipment manufacturer. Its Christmas market presented itself with less pomp and circumstance, but rather with a very cosy and homely feel. Roasted nuts and almonds are served with mulled wine and steaming hot sausages.

Hmmm, I would say we are ready for Santa Claus – Bring ‘im on!

See all photos from Bamberg and Herzogenaurach in the Christmas markets 4 album below:

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Nuremberg christmas market

Gingerbread hearts

The series on Christmas markets continues to Nürnberg (Nuremberg) in Germany. The main market, a.k.a “Christkindlesmarkt” is situated in the historic city centre in front of the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady).

Nuremberg looks back on hundreds of years of rich Christmas traditions and customs. A visitor doesn’t have to look hard to find them on sale in the market:

• Rauschgoldengel (tinsel angel) – glittery angel figure made from imitation gold foil
• Zwetschgermännla (prune man) – decorative figures that have a walnut for a head and limbs made of skewered prunes
• Lebkuchen (gingerbread) – These big Christmas cookies can be sweet and chewy, soft & fruity or even hard and crispy. From yummy & edible to painted & merely decorative they come in all shapes and sizes.

See all photos from Nuremberg in the Christmas markets 3 album below:

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Lights at dusk

After visiting some Viennese christmas markets around the city centre, I went to Schönbrunn palace to take in the clove & cinnamon scented atmosphere against the crepuscular backdrop of the Imperial palace at dusk.

See all images in the Christmas markets 2 album below:

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Belvedere christmas market

When the days get shorter in the 0.3% of the planet (*) taken up by Germany and Austria our teutonic friends flock to the Christmas markets, where they meet their friends, colleagues and office mates to consume liberal amount of a sweet sticky substance called “Punsch”.

Lacking an empire of their own the Germans left it to British sailors to introduce the spicy, fruity and intoxicating beverage to Europe. During the winter months “Punsch” makes a worthwhile investment into one’s body weight and core temperature while greasing the wheels of social intercourse. These days it is sold in a myriad varieties at Christmas markets all over Germany and Austria and other neighbouring countries.

Lights in the trees

Over the last week I headed out a couple of times to capture the magical Christmas atmosphere at some of Vienna’s best-known Christmas markets.

I am planning to visit more locations over the next few weeks and more photos will be posted here.

The first album includes

• Karlsplatz (in front of St. Charles Church)
• Museumsquartier (home of the Leopold collection and other museums)
• Rathausplatz (town hall square)
• Schloss Belvedere (spectacular baroque palace)

See all photos in the album Christmas markets 1 below:

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