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People mail

            Old mail coach at the Christkindlesmarkt, Nuremberg, Franconia (Bavaria)

Some background information:

The Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg is a world-famous Christmas market, which takes place on the Main Market Square, the central square in Nuremberg’s old town, and on the adjoining squares and streets. It always starts on Friday before the first Sunday of Advent and usually ends on 24th December.

Despite intense investigations carried out by several historians and people interested in local history, the origins of the Christkindlesmarkt are unknown. The oldest piece of evidence relating to it is a box made of coniferous wood. The following inscription can be found on its bottom: "Regina Susanna Harßdörfferin from the virgin Susanna Eleonora Erbsin sent to the Kindles-Marck in 1628." Nowadays this box is in the possession of the Germanic National Museum in Nuremberg.

However historians have reasons to believe that the Christkindlesmarkt has its origins in traditional sales at the weekly market between 1610 and 1639 and by this time gradually evolved into an independent market. Originally, the market opened on Thomas’ Day, 4th December, but due to the large number of visitors, opening day was rescheduled to the Friday before the start of Advent in 1973 and has remained so ever since. The years between 1939 and 1948 were the only years in the Christmas market’s history, in which it didn’t take place. No need to say, that this multi-annual closure was caused by the Second Word War and the tremendous destructions in Nuremberg’s old town induced by allied bombing raids.

Every year the Christkindlesmarkt is opened with a prologue by the Christkind, which she recites from the gallery of the Church of our Lady. In several European countries the Christkind is a Christmas angel and traditional female gift-bringer. The Nuremberg Christkind is elected every second year from sensible girls aged between 16 and 19. Initially a large number of competitors enter via the Internet these days. But in the end it’s still a jury, which chooses the next Christkind out of six finalists.

There are about 200 wooden stalls on the Christkindlesmarkt. Among other things visitors of the can buy the small, but very tasty traditional Nuremberg roast sausages, spicy gingerbread, fruit loaves, bakery goods and sweets, mulled wine, flaming fire tongs punch, 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", which are little figures made from prunes and walnuts.

On the Hans Sachs Square near the Hauptmarkt there’s another market, which is mainly aimed at children, the so-called Children’s Christmas. It includes some very beautiful traditional carnival rides and a tent, where children can meet Santa Claus.

And on the Guildhall Square just north of the Main Market Square the Christmas Market of Nuremberg's sister cities adds some international flair. With a wide range of indigenous arts and crafts, stalls from Nuremberg's twin cities resp.  sister cities, such as Prague (Czech Republic), Glasgow (Scotland), Venice (Italy), Nice (France), Krakow (Poland), Antalya (Turkey), Kharkiv (Ukraine), Atlanta (USA), Skopje (Macedonia) and Shenzhen (China) take visitors on a journey around the world.

So if you want to take a trip to Nuremberg during Advent season, I can highly recommend it. But don’t forget to book your hotel early enough, as the city is always crowded with tourists from all quarters at that time.

Taken in: Deutschland / Bayern / Nürnberg (show map)

Taken on: December 8, 2007

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Sets appears in: • Franconia, Germany 2005 - 2024

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Camera: CASIO COMPUTER CO.,LTD. EX-Z70, f/3.1, 1/125 sec, 6.3mm (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	CASIO COMPUTER CO.,LTD. EX-Z70
Aperture:	f/3.1
Exposure Time:	0.008 sec (1/125)
Focal Length:	6.3mm
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	On, Fired
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
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