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Christmas Market – Magical Advent at the Rathausplatz

From mid-November, as every year, there is Christmas in the air in Vienna again. The scent of candied fruits, cotton candy and other treats, which surrounds the small wooden booths, has a magical power of attraction. While the little ones warm their hands on the bags with hot chestnuts, the adults drink a glass of punch and are amazed that the Christmas market still has the same magic as in their childhood. Underneath the imaginatively decorated trees in the park in front of the Rathaus (City Hall), the Viennese and guests from around the world can enjoy a walk in the Advent season. The gingerbread tree, the “Cloud Post Office” and “Hoki Poki’s bakery” offer atmospheric photo opportunities.

History:

In 1296, Emperor Albrecht I granted the Viennese tradespeople and craftsmen the privilege of organizing a “Dezembermarkt” (December Market) in order to ensure adequate supply for the urban population. In the 16th century, today's “Christkindlmarkt” (Christmas market) was known as “Thomasmarkt” and took place around Christmas time and New Year's Eve. Christmas, as it is celebrated today, was introduced in Vienna in the Biedermeier era when the noble aristocracy, for the first time, set up Christmas trees in their homes following the north German tradition. It was not until the time of the Congress of Vienna around 1814, that the custom of giving presents was taken up. At that time the market was held on the square Am Hof in the fashion of an ordinary market, with the exception of a few stands offering Christmas seasonal goods (silver-plated nuts, candles, tinsel, etc.) as documented by bills dating from this period.

Channel: Typisch Wien
Categories: Events, Shopping, Wienerisch

Weiterführende Links:

• Christkindlmarkt
• Rathaus wiki