Vienna is renowned as the site of music, art and culture. Situated on the banks of the Danube this romantic city plays draws millions of visitors every year. Christmas is really special in Vienna.
In the winter, the city exudes excitement with opera, dance, theater, concerts and lights. In particular the traditional Christmas markets bring the city to life and high activity. From the end of November and until Christmas, one can find, ‘Christkindlmarkt’ or Christmas market on every corner of Vienna. Small huts provide you with hand crafted or other Christmas presents, plenty of food, and hot punch and especially Gluhwein, sweet and heated mulled wine. The aroma of candied goodies and roasted chestnuts waft around the small market stalls.
Viennese Christmas markets – a brief history
Vienna’s Christmas markets are steeped in tradition. They go back seven centuries to 1298, when Albrecht-1 granted the Viennese the privilege of holding a December market or Dezembermarkt.. In the 18th century it assumed the name of Krippenmarkt (crib market) reserved for small traders. In 1814 around the time of the Wiener Kongress, the practice of giving Christmas presents was started and the market was located at Am Hof which started selling Christmas goodies. Since then the nature and scale of these markets has changed extraordinarily. Since 1975 a market has been held at the Wiener Rathausplatz, and it has not lost any of its charm – quite on the contrary it attracts more and more visitors each year. More than 3 million people visit the market each year. Last year there were 21 official Advent markets in Vienna selling a vast array of Christmas gifts and delicious treats.
Favorite things to eat
The Christmas Market is most famous for its special Christmas treats. Taste the hot punch, which is a traditional favorite with some 200 booths serving 10,000 liters of the delicious beverage everyday. Flavors range from berry, apple and orange to coconut, chocolate and tropical. Mulled wine, grilled sausages, roasted chestnuts and caramelized sugared almonds are other treats that you can try.
Vienna has many markets throughout the city. The most colorful is the one held in front of the town hall (Rathausplatz). In Spittelberg, and Karlsplatz there are art and crafts markets, Freyung has the Old Vienna Market and there is a market at the Schönbrunn palace.
Here are some memorable markets that you could visit:
Rathaus
It is the most famous of Vienna’s Christmas markets. Rathaus is set outside the Gothic-styled Town Hall and is very beautiful. During market time the surrounding garden is dressed up magically with lanterns, snowmen and fairytale huts. Children especially will enjoy Rathaus. The Town Hall, which is decorated as a giant advent calendar also hosts a Christmas workshop where the kids can try their hand at making Christmas gifts.
Children also have pony rides and a motorized train that takes them to carousel rides. The market is at the center and offers the Gluhwein (hot, mulled wine), punch and hot snacks. Also available are a wide range of gifts and Christmas decorations. The tree with seals, the “Kasperl tree“, the “Herzerlbaum” (Hearts tree) as well as the “Post office in the clouds” offer a perfect setting for souvenir photos.
Karlsplatz market
This market is on from November 23 to December 23. Karlsplatz market is situated in a square at the front of the church of St. Charles Borromea in the Belvedere quarter of the city. It is a warm and exciting place to celebrate the Christmas spirit and pick up some souvenirs. A central area full of straw offers playing space for children. But the market is most notable for its excellent craft stalls. The stalls are open by midday but are in their element at night, all lit up and smelling of roasted chestnuts. Craftsmen exhibit examples of their wood and leather working. Some attractive Christmas baubles are available like painted glass candle holders, and also handmade silver jewelery.
Schonbrunn Market
This is a market located outside the Schonbrunn palace, the summer retreat of the royal family. It may be small in size but exhibits a wonderful collection of crafts from all over Austria and Germany. It is open from 24th November to 26th December. The palace provides a spectacular backdrop of an idyllic Christmas village.
Spittleberg
This is a lovely historical quarter, where both traditional and modern handicrafts are sold on narrow, granite stoned paved alleyways, niches and courtyards. It is considered Vienna’s most authentic Christmas market.
Maria Theresien Platz
It is one of Vienna’s newest markets and not as spectacular as the others perhaps. But you will find an enchantingly wide range of products like handmade silver rings and honey based candle and beauty products.
Once you have tasted the atmosphere of Christmas in these lovely Christmas Markets, the memories will beckon you every year. Vienna’s Christmas market attracts millions of visitors and helps celebrate Christmas in a joyous, festive spirit that stays with you long after December.
Photo of Vienna Christmas Market, Austria originally posted by Edi Weissmann
Topic: Travel with kids |
0 Comments
Tags: Christmas, family, kids, shopping, Vienna
About the author
Grace lives in India. She loves to travel, not as a tourist, but to soak in the secrets of the nooks and crannies of this amazing planet. She also loves words, expressed through the medium of writing. She firmly believes that a well crafted piece of writing can accomplish ANYTHING!
Leave a comment