Sunday
Nov282010
Christmas Market: Munich
Sunday, November 28, 2010 at 11:05 PM 
Last weekend, Haworth; this weekend, Munich.
This traditional Christmas market is on a very different scale to the one at home. It’s actually several different markets, scattered about the streets and squares of the city centre. Closed to traffic, there’s a surprisingly calm yet super-festive atmosphere.
The street food smells – and tastes – spectacularly good. Glühwein and punch are served in china mugs shaped like boots; fruit and nuts and candies come in paper cones. I’m eating hot chestnuts and fresh dates and Kaiserschmarrn and pumpkin seeds flavoured with vanilla and cinnamon. The sausages for sale could stretch to the moon.
The ground is covered with the lightest dusting of snow and the cobbles are slippery with ice. On the stroke of each hour – and several times in between – chimes ring out from the tower of Alter Peter; and the figures high on the facade of the Rathaus turn clockwork circles.
In the Marienplatz, the tallest Christmas tree I’ve ever seen (almost 100 feet high) is sparkling with thousands of tiny lights. As dusk falls, a choir on the town hall balcony begins to sing carols into the frostbitten night. I watch my breath freeze, as the music swirls up and around the beautiful old architecture, up to the star-crazed sky.
I can totally understand why Munich is regularly rated one of the best places in the world to live. Right at this moment, I want to live here, too.
P.S. Today I’m taking part in Mosaic Monday, hosted by Mary at Little Red House. Why not pop on over and take a look at some of the other lovely mosaics you’ll find links to there?
Reader Comments (11)
Oh how I wish I could have been there with you! Looks lovely!
Wish you'd been there, too! :)
Guten Tag
it seems you are perpectually on a holiday !!!!
Beautiful!! That tree is so amazing! Your posts are definitely getting me in the holiday spirit! xo
This is just wonderful. The food sounds so very continental and the whole atmosphere sounds like an old-fashioned traditional Christmas.
It seems we are! :)
The tree was stunning. No idea how they hauled that into place. It was MASSIVE!
It was VERY traditional. There was nothing tacky about it. All the stalls were constructed from timber; most of the goods on sale made from natural materials. Though in one sense totally commercial, it didn't have the commercial feel to it that dominates the run up to Christmas here and in the States (the only two places I can comment on with any authority!).
Sounds to me you had a wonderful time. The chestnuts, the sparkling snow and that Christmas tree must have created a real festive atmosphere. So pleased you enjoyed it all
Sounds and looks wonderful. Makes me nostalgic for the Gluhwein our German friend would make after a long day of skiing.
xx, KathyB
Hello! I'm at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone 3gs! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Keep up the fantastic work!