Wednesday, 3 December 2014

MUNICH'S CHRISTMAS MARKETS

Munich's Christmas market. Photo Bernd Roemmelt
Munich, with its air of polished prosperity, is quintessential Germany. The old and the new co-exist here with cherished traditions like Oktoberfest, the world's largest beer festival, rubbing shoulders with designer shopping, sleek cars and high-powered industry.

Indeed Munich today is the flavour of the year. The Bavarian capital on the Isar river has strong roots in the past. Its Baroque and Rococo architecture, lush parks, museums and historic venues such as Schloss Nymphenburg, the summer palace of the rulers of Bavaria, are
the favoured haunts of tourists and locals alike.


 Christkindlmarkt Marienplatz.  Photo Bernd Roemmelt
This gracious German city is just an hour's drive from the snow-crusted Alps that frame it so beautifully and lend it an air of enchantment.


Munich’s Christmas Market, also known as Christkindlmarkt, takes place between the first advent and Christmas Eve. The most famous one is the Christmas market at the Marienplatz that is located in the heart of the city. The origins of Christmas Market dates back to the ‘Nicholas Markets’ of 14th century. Here one can buy all kinds of traditional Bavarian and varieties of Christmas gifts, such as crib figurines, toys, marionettes, woodcarvings, bee wax candles and notably some exquisite glasswares from the Bavarian Forest. The aromas of hit chestnuts, mulled wine, grilled sausages and other tasty snacks, further enhance the ambience of a ‘typical Christmas Market’




During Christmas, music lovers can enjoy the festive season celebration with a special alpine Christmas Market concert, at Munich’s town hall. Gossamer wings and shimmering gowns lie ready in magnificent surroundings, waiting to transform young visitors into angels. 

The equally popular Kripplermarkt, one of the largest in Germany that specializes in cribs and other nativity accessories, is a short walk away on Neuhauser Strasse. The historical event has been part of Munich‘s traditional Christmas Markets since the middle of the 18th century.

Kripperlmarket Photo Bernd Roemmelt

More than a Christmas Market and very different is the Tollwood Christmas Market, Munich´s fantastic ethnic festival. On the Theresienwiese, an open space in the Munich borough of Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstad, visitors can find a spectacle of tents offering an exciting mix of international musicians and drama groups, performances, live music, art and culture as well as popular Christmas Market ideas with handicrafts and cuisine from around the world. 

In all, there are a further 20 Christmas Markets located throughout the city of Munich, including a Medieval Christmas Market with gospel singing at the Wittelsbacher Platz, a gay pink Christmas Market (Stephansplatz) and if you happen to forget anything before leaving for home there is even a Christmas Market with ice skating facilities at Munich’s International Airport
 
More information at : www.buzzmunich.in

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