Susan and I finally took our Christmas holiday trip to Germany and Austria after having it cancelled in ’20 and ’21 due to the worldwide pandemic. The chance to see one of our favorite parts of the world in winter snow and holiday decoration was something we have long anticipated, and we were not disappointed.
The first European Christmas market dates to 1296 in Vienna, Austria when Duke Albrecht I authorized a 14-day fair in the month of December. From this medieval beginning Christkindlemarkt evolved to celebrate the end of Advent and the beginning of 12 days of celebration throughout German speaking Europe. By the 17th and 18th centuries Christmas markets became places to buy meat, baked goods and commodities and were situated adjacent to churches and cathedrals. Today Christkindlemarkt generally run from November 19th through December 25th and feature local delicacies, seasonal drinks, a variety of cooked meats and regional holiday ornaments and items for sale. They are also a place where people stop by on the way home from their places of work to commune outdoors with their friends for a mug of gluhwein or rum punsch and maybe a sausage or leberkase sandwich. At night, which comes early in this part of the world, the markets take on a wonder and beauty that’s hard to describe. Just walking through the markets puts one in the holiday spirit.
The cold and snowy December weather made the Salzburg and Vienna markets seem even more dreamlike. A mug of Gluhwein was always close by and a great way to warm up. Visiting German speaking Europe in late November or December offers the opportunity to experience these markets and gain a sense of how Europe has celebrated the Christmas holiday for over 700-years. If you like tradition, cultural sophistication and architectural beauty Salzburg and Vienna should be on your must visit list abroad.
All images were taken with Fuji X100f with 23mm f2.0 lens in RAW format, processed in Lightroom Classic CC 12.01