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Everyone expectantly gathers around
the Marienplatz, in the heart of the city, to hear the
Lord Mayor solemnly open the Christmas Market at 5:00
p.m. on the Friday before the first Sunday of Advent.
When the (almost) 30-meter high Christmas tree sparkles
in all its splendor as its 2,500 candles are lit, the
aroma of Gluehwein (hot spiced wine) fills the air and
angel hair glistens everywhere, then the Bavarian
capital comes alive with the magic of Christmas.
Living Tradition
According to some sources, the Christmas Market dates
back to the 14th century: town records first mention a
”Nicholas Market” in the Kaufinger Strasse near the
Frauenkirche (Church of our Lady) in 1642. ”Goods from
Oberammergau, Nuremberg Lebkuchen (gingerbread), cotton
childwear, manger figurines, and chimney sweeps made of
plums and almonds” were among the wide range of
traditional fare on display. In 1806 the Nicholas Market
changed its name to ”Christkindlmarkt”, but it wasn‘t
until 1972 that – after several changes of location –
the Munich Christmas Market found its permanent home in
the heart of the city.
Follow the stars to the Manger Market
Bright stars and Christmas lights cast an enchanting
glow on the way to Germany‘s largest manger market. The
historical event has been part of Munich‘s traditional
Christmas market since the middle of the 18th century.
Manger fans will find their paradise on the Rindermarkt,
not far from the Marienplatz. From the lantern for the
manger to fodder for the ox and donkey, from beaming
cherubs to the gifts of the Magi, the market has all you
need to create an authentic manger. Each lovingly chosen
and carefully packed item is a reminder of childhood,
when the manger under the Christmas tree symbolized a
world of mystery and wonder.
Christmas mangers have long been a tradition in Munich.
As early as 1597, the Jesuits set up a manger in St
Michael’s church. In 1757, the first original Christmas
market took place: it lasted from the 1st day of Advent
to the Epiphany.
Exquisite woodcarvings from South Tyrol, Oberammergau or
the Erzgebirge stand side by side with unbreakable
plastic figurines, some of which look astonishingly
woodlike. From the magnificent oriental manger to the
mini-manger from the Alps – this market has it all!
One of the craftsmen’s sources of inspiration is surely
the historical manger in the Town Hall’s Court of
Ceremonies, created by the Munich artist Reinhold
Zellner in 1954.
Straw Stars and Gingerbread
A stroll among the gaily decorated
stalls is sure to get you into the holiday spirit. The
sparkling festive ornaments, from traditional to modern,
from miniature to bombastic, made of straw or pewter,
are a delight for young and old. Many a guardian angel
with gold-leaf wings will take flight as a special
souvenir. The more than 140 stalls offer a wonderful
array of toys and handicrafts, candles, ceramics and
woodwork.
Baked apples, gingerbread, roast almonds, ginger nuts
and plum figurines are as essential to a Bavarian
Christmas as snow is to winter. For more substantial
fare, be sure to try the delicious sausages or potato
pancakes (Reiberdatschi). Many specialties are also
available as organic food from authorized firms. |
