Esslingen Christmas Market

I am a week behind I am sad to report we visited this market last Saturday.... But I promise to bring you up to date before the end of this week. Germany is famous for it's Christmas Markets and almost every city, town, village offers one. Our first one was actually back in November most markets open in late November around our Thanksgiving time.

 I forgot the camera however...yes I know how could I. We went to Ludwigsburg and it was a Baroque themed market. It was gorgous.... of course I was so upset I didn't have the camera...lucky for me the market is very close to home and before the season is over I will get pictures.

  At almost all the markets you will see wooden "huts" with decorations on the roof, many evergreen decorations and of course crafts from the region.

 Each market has it's own  design of mug and they serve hot Gluwein....which depending on the market can taste like warm cough syrup or delightful fruit treat. People love to collect mugs from different markets and view the variations of the market styles. Some towns have markets one weekend, or for one week and other larger cities have a market for a month.  You are encouraged to go to the markets during the week as the weekends they are so packed you can barley breath. I can tell you having gone to 4 markets now that weekdays are far more enjoyable. The markets also have local entertainment ranging from theater to singers and other musical performers, children's programs and evening parades. 

Esslingen is a Medieval themed Market. 

It felt more like attending a traditional renaissance fair in the states than it did a christmas market. 

I will say it is famous and people travel from near and far to go. The costumes were fun and the entertainers lively.

 I am so glad we went. The kids loved it. P & S got to see Nicholaus on the German holiday of St. Nicholaus. H got to ride the medieval ferris wheel powered by costumed jesters who teased me mercilessly.... we all had a very good laugh. Sam tried his first Gluwien.... it was his first market and yes of course we acquired a new mug. 

While there really wasn't shopping for traditional goods the production of the whole scene was very exciting. 

Ludwigsburg market is still my favorite. Esslingen is about 20 miles from Stuttgart and we picked up our tree here. The drive was really fun. 

The city of Esslingen has beautiful architechture. The buildings were gorgeous. 

The Neckar river also runs through this city and it winds and meaders through the downtown market place.

 It was so cool to see small pedestrian walkways criss crossing the river from one house to another. 

The colors of the buildings were beautiful as well and really cheered up the cold rainy weather. 

The town center has a very lively and festive red and green building with a unique shape.

 I have to tell you this building below is the old city wall....

....upon seeing this unique medieval wall H was absolutely mesmerized and excitedly exclaimed "it's the Great Wall of China Mom"...to which some German college age girls started giggling and smiled at H..... after a brief geography lesson H was even more fascinated to learn that cities actually needed walls during the medieval times.

 The market was unique and lively.I am anxious to see more of the varied markets and the various themes. I will keep you posted on the Christmas Markets !