Let's go to the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt!

Every year, Nuremberg's Christmas market attracts over two million visitors from all over the world. The market opens on the Friday before the first Advent on Nuremberg's main market square and can be visited until December 24. Nuremberg delicacies, merry-go-rounds, mulled wine: Everyone gets into the Christmas mood here.

The Christkindlesmarkt benefits from the medieval charm of the old town with the Gothic Frauenkirche church as its landmark. The market was first mentioned in 1628, but its roots probably date back to Lutheran times: in the 16th century in the Protestant regions it was no longer St. Nicholas who brought the gifts to the children, but the "Christkind" or Christ Child.

The Nuremberg Christkind market is ceremoniously opened. From the gallery of the Frauenkirche church the Christ Child delivers a prologue to the market place. This ceremony has existed since 1933, an idea of the Nazis. The Christ Child is elected every two years. This year racist comments overshadowed the new election due to the Indian origins of 17-year-old Benigna Muns.

At the Christkindlesmarkt you can find many Nuremberg originals. For example the "Nürnberger Zwetschgenmännla", a figure made of dried plums. It is sold with the Franconian saying, among other things: "Willsd an, der di ned ärchem ko, nou kaffsder hald an Zwedschgermoo" which translated means: "If you want someone with whom you can never get cross, buy a Zwetschgenmann (plum man)."

Tinsel angels are the symbol of the Nuremberg Christmas market and are very popular as tree decorations. According to legend, it was designed by a Nuremberg doll maker. When his daughter was lying deadly ill in bed, he heard the flapping of an angel's wings. The tinsel angels used to be made of beaten brass, but now they are made of aluminum foil.

Hearty or sugar-sweet, the market offers a Christmas menu for all tastes. From stall to stall you can feast your way through the festive treats. Starting with the seven to nine centimeter (2.7 - 3.5 inch) long Nuermberg Rostbratwurst sausage, which is served as "Drei in an Weggla" which means three sausages in a bread roll; very much a local specialty.

The Nuremberg Lebkuchen gingerbread will sweeten your stay. They are available in large, round, square and figure form, with almonds, chocolate and honey. These tasty gingerbreads have been produced for 600 years. It is said that they were first made by monks in the region.

If you get tired of walking, just get on the stagecoach. Since 1950, tours of the 5,000 square meter (53,820 sq. ft) market have been a popular attraction. The stagecoach is a replica of a model from 1874. The ride takes its passengers back through a nostalgic past as they ride past the colorful stalls.

Behind the main market square, on Hans-Sachs-Platz, you will find the Christmas town for young market visitors. Here candles are made, cookies are baked and stories of the Christ Child are read in the "Sternenhaus". Glittering merry-go-rounds are, of course, also spinning on the square. Four times a week the Christ Child grants everyone a free ride.

From 1948 the procession of lights has been a special part of the festive period in Nuremberg. At that time the city was in ruins from the war. Since then, the streets of the old town have been illuminated by colorful lanterns at the same time every year. At the end of the procession local pupils perform a nativity play at the Nuremberg Imperial Castle. The procession takes place on December 12th.

At this Christmas market sooner or later you will get cold feet. But a cup of hot apple or blueberry mulled wine, which you can buy everywhere, helps. It is served in colorful mugs, which you can even keep. A pretty souvenir from your visit to the Nuremberg Christmas market.