Travel
Chocolate coated, sugar coated or topped with almonds, the gingerbread making tradition in Nuremberg dates back 600 years ago. They were invented by the Franconian monks, as they placed the dough on communion wafers so it won't stick to the tray. They also come in beautiful tin boxes which makes them the perfect gift!
But the most unusual kind is called Elisenlebkuchen and is made with honey, almonds, spices, etc, but no flour. It is also my favourite, coated with sugar and all. Legend has it, the Elisenlebkuchen was named after Elisabeth, the ill daughter of a local baker. Since the doctors could not help, he started baking a kind of lebkuchen without flour, and his daughter grew healthy. See? Whoever told you cookies were not healthy was wrong!
The fancy stagecoach pulled by two massive horses offers a nostalgic trip into the past. OK, so we learned to be grateful for the modern ways of transportation after only a short ride, but we also found it very romantic. It's not every day that you visit a city in the melodic company of horse hooves!
The coach provides a welcome cozy break from the cold outside too, while letting you see the world anew, from a different point of view. So that's how wealthy people used to travel in the past!
However, when the coachman started singing Christmas songs on his trumpet, it not only gave us goosebumps, but with all the people staring and waving, it made us feel like royalty.
Nuremberg is a rail hub served by ICE, IC and regional trains alike. The train station is just a short walk away from the Christmas market and the Old Town which makes it super accessible. ACPRail offers both individual DB tickets and European train passes. If you find yourself eager to visit several cities on e trip, we definitely recommend an Interrail or Eurail pass. Train travel is our favourite way of exploring Europe for it is fast, relaxing, comfortable and hassle free.
Our time in Nuremberg was courtesy of the Nuremberg Tourism Board. All opinions are our own.
- Traditional Nuremberg. Steichele Hotel & Weinrestaurant
We love it when we stumble upon something that is clearly off the beaten path. Or something that is rather a well guarded local secret. And this is precisely how we felt in Nuremberg, while staying at Steichele Hotel & Weinrestaurant. The hotel...
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Visiting Dresden in mid-November proved to be a double-edged sword. The Christmas Market wasn't going to open until the end of the month, however, the city was already infused with festive charm. We had the chance to walk among the quiet stalls...
- German Christmas Traditions: Baking Stollen + #giveaway
While we didn't really bake Stollen on our recent airberlin trip to Dresden (it was for the grater good, trust me!), we surely ate lots of it. And over and over again we found this buttery cake made with dried fruits, nuts, marzipan and spices, irresistible....
- Christmas Shopping In New York
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- The Magic Of The Christmas Markets In Germany
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Travel
5 Unique Things to Do At Nuremberg Christmas Market
Christmas markets were first held in Germany at the beginning of the 15th century. And to this day, you won't find a more charming Christmas market, with a more festive atmosphere and vibe in any other country. The German Christmas markets are simply perfect! And they come by the hundreds! Every city, town or village has at least one. Dresden claims the 'world's oldest' title, while Cologne receives the most annual visits. However, if you are looking for something traditional and unspoiled, Nuremberg might be right down your alley.
Nuremberg’s Christmas market was first held in 1628 or maybe even earlier. But to present-day, it remains a traditional market in the real sense of the word, where people come to trade local, hand-made goods. No mass-produced or imported products are allowed, making this probably the most authentic Christmas Market you'll ever visit.
You won't find the overly decorated chalets of Stuttgart here either, but simple wood and cloth stalls that spread across Hauptmarkt, the main square in Nuremberg's old town, and the adjacent streets. The candy-cane stripped stalls, though reminiscent of the modern-day Christmas colours, represent in fact the flag of the city.
Sure, you will find all the elements that make Christmas markets so worth braving the cold for in Nuremberg as well. The fragrant mulled wine won't stop flowing, while the intricate ornaments, the scrumptious food and the holiday cheer are endless. But we found Nuremberg's Christmas market unique for 5 good reasons.
Meet the Christkind
Nuremberg's Christmas market is actually called Christkindlesmarkt (meaning "Christ Child's Market"). Many markets around the world have adopted the name, however, it is here where you can actually meet the Christkind. Though nowadays the Christkind is a girl-angel that brings gifts to children on Christmas Eve, the idea dates back to Martin Luther's day.
The Catholic tradition of early 16th century was for St Nicolas to bring gifts to children on December 6th. Nevertheless, being against saint veneration, Luther decided that children shall receive gifts on Christmas Eve and that 'Holy Christ' shall bring the presents. The idea picked up and got shaped by the medieval German tradition of Christmas plays, where the Angel of the Annunciation was the main character. Hence, in Nuremberg, a young woman is now chosen every two years to represent the Christkind in dozens of social and charitable events.
The Christkind is also the one opening the Christmas market with her famous prologue, and you can meet her in the market on selected days.
Buy a Prune Man (or Woman!)
A prune man or woman is the one good luck charm you MUST take home with you! With their dried prune arms and legs, figs as a body and walnuts as a head, these little people come in many professions and sizes. They are cute too and they are also said to bring good luck. The chimney sweeps are probably the luckiest, but you will find anything from piano players, waiters, gardeners and bakers, to couples in love or performing daily chores or leisurely activities.
The prune men were invented by a poor Nuremberg wire drawer in the 18th century. He wanted a gift for his kids, and since all he had was wire and a plum tree, he made a prune man. Not only his kids liked it, but he started receiving orders from his neighbours too. The romanticised version of the story says he even became wealthy!
Today, the prune man are a slowly dying tradition. You will still find quite a few stalls selling the little men and women, but they actually require up to one hour of work each and their selling price is low. The prune men are not to be eaten, but they can be kept on a shelf for years.
Eat (lots of) Nuremberg sausages (Rostbratwurst)
You will love them! The small, juicy sausages are sold 3 in a bread roll and they are delicious too. Mustard on top is a must!
The sophisticated bratwurst tradition of Nuremberg dates back to the 14th century when only specialised pork butchers were allowed to produce the Nuremberg bratwurst, following a strict recipe. This is still the case today, since the Nuremberg Rostbratwurst became a "Protected Geographic Indication".
Nevertheless, the most outstanding characteristic of the Nuremberg sausages is their size - 7 to 9cm in length. According to the legend, the Nuremberg innkeepers used to pass them through the keyhole to their hungry guests even after the curfew. Another story says they used to be supplied to the inmates through especially drilled holes in the walls of their cells.
The sophisticated bratwurst tradition of Nuremberg dates back to the 14th century when only specialised pork butchers were allowed to produce the Nuremberg bratwurst, following a strict recipe. This is still the case today, since the Nuremberg Rostbratwurst became a "Protected Geographic Indication".
Nevertheless, the most outstanding characteristic of the Nuremberg sausages is their size - 7 to 9cm in length. According to the legend, the Nuremberg innkeepers used to pass them through the keyhole to their hungry guests even after the curfew. Another story says they used to be supplied to the inmates through especially drilled holes in the walls of their cells.
Taste the Nuremberg gingerbread (Lebkuchen)
Chocolate coated, sugar coated or topped with almonds, the gingerbread making tradition in Nuremberg dates back 600 years ago. They were invented by the Franconian monks, as they placed the dough on communion wafers so it won't stick to the tray. They also come in beautiful tin boxes which makes them the perfect gift!
But the most unusual kind is called Elisenlebkuchen and is made with honey, almonds, spices, etc, but no flour. It is also my favourite, coated with sugar and all. Legend has it, the Elisenlebkuchen was named after Elisabeth, the ill daughter of a local baker. Since the doctors could not help, he started baking a kind of lebkuchen without flour, and his daughter grew healthy. See? Whoever told you cookies were not healthy was wrong!
Take the stagecoach around the city
The fancy stagecoach pulled by two massive horses offers a nostalgic trip into the past. OK, so we learned to be grateful for the modern ways of transportation after only a short ride, but we also found it very romantic. It's not every day that you visit a city in the melodic company of horse hooves!
The coach provides a welcome cozy break from the cold outside too, while letting you see the world anew, from a different point of view. So that's how wealthy people used to travel in the past!
However, when the coachman started singing Christmas songs on his trumpet, it not only gave us goosebumps, but with all the people staring and waving, it made us feel like royalty.
How to get to Nuremberg's Christmas Market
Nuremberg is a rail hub served by ICE, IC and regional trains alike. The train station is just a short walk away from the Christmas market and the Old Town which makes it super accessible. ACPRail offers both individual DB tickets and European train passes. If you find yourself eager to visit several cities on e trip, we definitely recommend an Interrail or Eurail pass. Train travel is our favourite way of exploring Europe for it is fast, relaxing, comfortable and hassle free.
Our time in Nuremberg was courtesy of the Nuremberg Tourism Board. All opinions are our own.
- Traditional Nuremberg. Steichele Hotel & Weinrestaurant
We love it when we stumble upon something that is clearly off the beaten path. Or something that is rather a well guarded local secret. And this is precisely how we felt in Nuremberg, while staying at Steichele Hotel & Weinrestaurant. The hotel...
- The Magic Of Dresden Christmas Market
Visiting Dresden in mid-November proved to be a double-edged sword. The Christmas Market wasn't going to open until the end of the month, however, the city was already infused with festive charm. We had the chance to walk among the quiet stalls...
- German Christmas Traditions: Baking Stollen + #giveaway
While we didn't really bake Stollen on our recent airberlin trip to Dresden (it was for the grater good, trust me!), we surely ate lots of it. And over and over again we found this buttery cake made with dried fruits, nuts, marzipan and spices, irresistible....
- Christmas Shopping In New York
Whilst the world is getting smaller New York is only getting bigger. With the biggest holiday of the year just around the corner, the most sought after Christmas gifts are getting harder and harder to find. So if you can't visit the best Christmas...
- The Magic Of The Christmas Markets In Germany
Christmas markets originated in Germany in the Late Middle Ages and they are a great way to get into the Christmas spirit. I love this time of the year and as the weather gets colder, I'm already switching to a festive mood. Hundreds of Christmas...