I had been living in Nuremberg for almost 2 years. To be honest, Nuremberg is a cute small city with not many things to do, but it is beautiful. Especially for winter holidays, including Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
The whole city is beautifully decorated from mid-November, with lights and Christmas trees all over. But Nuremberg is probably the most famous city in Germany for its extraordinary Christmas Market, called Christkindlesmarkt.
Christkindlesmarkt begins on November 29th until December 24th, and it is open from 10 in the morning until 9 at night. People visit it from all the cities of Germany. But what makes it so special and what can you do if you visit it?
1. Try the Food
Nuremberg sausages, called Bratwurst are the tastiest and most famous sausages in Germany. They are served with a small bun and 3 sausages inside. Be sure to add their mustard sauce and dried onions. Lebkuchen, gingerbread cookies in many flavours and all kinds of sweets are also a must.
2. Glühwein to keep you warm
The favourite hot wine for the cold nights of winter. Its special taste comes by adding cinnamon, cloves and lemon peel among others. Every time you buy one, you are charged 2 extra euros for the mug, which each year has a different design and colour (arranged by all the sellers together). If you wish to keep the cup, you get no refund. Only if you take it back, you will get your 2 euros back.
What is really interesting, is that Glühwein is also available for children in the form of hot and sweetened fruit juice.
3. Meet the Nuremberg Christmas child
She is like Santa, but a girl. And blonde. And with wings. She represents the Christmas angel that brings the presents to all kids. Each year, girls between the age of 16 and 19, can apply for the position.
When it comes to Santa, parents tell their kids he will not bring them presents if they have been naughty. In the case of the Christkind, parents tell them that if they are curious and try to spot the angel, then they will get no presents. She does not come down the chimney. She rings a small bell, the moment she has left (well, the parents do).
During the week, the Christkind visits Christkindlesmarkt to take pictures with children and listen to their wishes for presents. Her most important task is to give hope, joy and warmth to all children.
4. Shopping… A lot of shopping
Come on. Who doesn’t like shopping? Well, in Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt, you might overspend. You can buy all sorts of toys for kids, such as wooden dolls and puzzles and miniatures. The best souvenir you can buy is a wooden nutcracker. They are very popular and made with great detail and love. One might cost about 100 euros, but it makes for a great souvenir or Christmas present.
Visiting the market is the best opportunity to buy ornaments for your Christmas tree. The choices are so many. Colours, shapes, designs, sayings. There are made out of glass, wood and any other material you want.
5. Interested in other cultures?
If you want to try something new, then all you have to do is go to the Market of Sister Cities, located on the North square of the Christmas market. Artists, merchants, and craftsmen from Nuremberg’s sister cities, have a booth selling a variety of products. The earnings go to charities of these countries. The countries included are the USA, Turkey, China, Greece, Italy, Montenegro, Romania, Sri-Lanka, Nicaragua, Poland, France, Czech Republic, and Scotland.
If you have the time, I would recommend you visit Nuremberg during this time of year. The city is beautiful, full of lights and life, good food and filled with crazy and interesting items to purchase. Plus you get to go sightseeing in Nuremberg, whose history is very important. If that is not your style, you can just relax and enjoy the festive feeling.
Culturista Life 