![]() ![]() The market feels particularly magical and atmospheric after dusk. One of the biggest Christmas markets and another glorious central location, sandwiched between the Natural History and Art History museums, and under the watchful eye of Empress Maria Theresa. The Freyung market has an authentic feel, thanks to the smaller size and, particularly, the mix of historical buildings that surround it: medieval churches, Baroque townhouses, and 18th-century apothecaries. Try the Bergkäse cheese: it’s sharp as a knife. Just up from Am Hof is the Altwiener Christkindlmarkt on the Freyung.Īlso notable for the adjoining organic farmer’s market with its wonderful specialties from the more rural parts of Austria. (The backdrop is the Schottenstift abbey that dates back hundreds of years) That rather clinical description fails to do justice to the concept, though. The “dictionary definition” is simply a collection of wooden stalls that sell traditional Christmas foods and beverages, honey, jams, other delicacies, candy and chocolate, decorations, handmade toys, jewellery, and many other arts and crafts…all during the weeks leading up to late December (and sometimes beyond). (I may have exaggerated a little, particularly the number of candles.) There you have it: a Viennese Christmas market. Then spread it all out in front of a magnificent historical building. Now throw in the scent of baked potatoes, fresh bread, strudel, candied nuts, and more. Imagine crisp winter air, the glitter of a thousand candles, steaming mugs of punch, laughter, smiles, roasted chestnuts, the tinkle of glass baubles, and the delicate crafts of numerous artisans. ![]() The Christmas market goes by various names, but all tend to follow the same pattern… Just wash it well at your hotel and then wrap it in some tissues or paper and store carefully in your carry on luggage if you are travelling by plane.(The main entrance to the Christkindlmarkt in front of city hall) Christmas market mug is an excellent souvenir. The drinks usually cost around 4 euros but you actually pay around 8 euros in total. If you return the mug to the stall where you bought your drink, you will get 3 or 4 euros back which was your deposit for the mug. If you want to keep your mug you are free to do so because you have paid for it. You can order hot chocolate, tea, mulled wine etc., and you will always get a beautiful ceramic mug. When you are at a Christmas market in Austria (and this is also true for German Christmas markets too), you pay for your drink and for the mug. Stephen’s cathedral market which will be featured in another post. I bought some Christmas mugs for my family and friends too so I only have 3 Christmas markets mugs from Vienna: the oldest, blue mug from Belvedere palace, this red heart shaped mug from Town hall market and an interesting mug from St. Each Christmas market in Vienna has its own design of a Christmas mug and usually they change them each year. Christmas market at the Town Hall is the biggest Christmas market in Vienna. That’s why I saw this same Christmas mug years afterwards too. ![]() I got this red heart shaped Christmas market mug at Christkindlmarkt at Rathaus platz (Christmas Market at the City Hall square) in 2014 when this market celebrated it’s 30 th anniversary. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |