Off to Munich for Christmas

One of the many interesting stalls.

After 10 days in Istanbul, we flew to Munich, Germany via Paris. We had four days on our own to explore the city before Katie's family joined us. It is a wonderful time in Munich as it is

Good that I am not collecting things as there is so much!

 

Beautiful Munich at Christmas

Weihnachtsmarkt time! The city is very festive and has wonderful aromas coming from the various sausage, candy, nuts and baked goods vendors. It is a wonderful time of year to visit Munich.

The Christmas Markets are colorful and lively with people in good spirits. The smells of fresh pastries, sausages, hot wine and roasted nuts is overwhelming! And very tasty, too.

More sweets everywhere.

The Munich Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market) - the “Original” - is the oldest Christmas market in the city. The origins of the Christmas Market are reported to date back to the so-called “Nicholaus Markets” of the 14th century. Town records first mention a “Nikolaidult” that took place near the Beautiful Tower in Kaufingerstrasse in 1642.

Traditional cookies

Munich’s medieval Christmas market isn’t just a theme chosen at random to distinguish itself from the 20 or so other markets in Munich. There is a historical precedent– Christmas markets in Munich date all the way back to Medieval times. A St. Nicholas fair was actually mentioned in writings as early as 1410.
 

Some people collect the various Gluewein mugs from

the various German Christmas Markets.

Dolls, Santas, Angels everywhere

The Medieval Christmas market (in German, known as the Mittelaltermarkt Munchen) was designed to reflect those early markets, to show what a market may have actually been like in the middle ages– complete with period dress, drink and crafts. While some modern items are mixed in, surprisingly the market manages to retain a feeling of authenticity.

A view of the Marienplatz

We spotted St. Nicholas in the crowd.

Mulled wine is the most popular holiday drink at German Christmas Markets. And I love it! It’s red wine served warm with a dash of cinnamon, cloves, orange and sugar added.  Social events revolve around Glühwein during the holiday season.  Friends bundle up and catch up over a mug of Glühwein at one of the many Glühwein stalls. It warms you through and through. Actually,Glühwein became my favorite refreshment in Germany - especially in the cold. 

There were Christmas Markets in many areas of Munich

Lunch on the spit!