Christmas Markets in Europe
Winter Markets
The story of Christmas markets begins in the late Middle Ages in some parts of the Roman Empire. Before Christmas markets, there were winter markets in Vienna in Austria. They were held around 1296 for one or two days and their aim was that people could buy food for the upcoming winter. Over time local families started setting up stalls to sell baskets and toys alongside with almonds, chestnuts and gingerbread. People bought them as gifts to give away at Christmas.
Winter Markets
The story of Christmas markets begins in the late Middle Ages in some parts of the Roman Empire. Before Christmas markets, there were winter markets in Vienna in Austria. They were held around 1296 for one or two days and their aim was that people could buy food for the upcoming winter. Over time local families started setting up stalls to sell baskets and toys alongside with almonds, chestnuts and gingerbread. People bought them as gifts to give away at Christmas.
Christmas Markets
Later the winter markets became Christmas markets. The earliest one was in Germany in around 1310 in Munich. Today you can visit a Christmas market in Berlin, the capital, as well as in most towns around the country.
So the first countries that started this tradition were Austria and Germany. People liked the idea and with time it spread to other neighbour countries like Czech Republic and Hungary. In Czech Republic Christmas markets are held in its capital -Prague and some other cities. In Hungary it is held in the capital Budapest, as well as in other cities around the country.
Later the winter markets became Christmas markets. The earliest one was in Germany in around 1310 in Munich. Today you can visit a Christmas market in Berlin, the capital, as well as in most towns around the country.
So the first countries that started this tradition were Austria and Germany. People liked the idea and with time it spread to other neighbour countries like Czech Republic and Hungary. In Czech Republic Christmas markets are held in its capital -Prague and some other cities. In Hungary it is held in the capital Budapest, as well as in other cities around the country.
Christmas Markets
Later the winter markets became Christmas markets. The earliest one was in Germany in around 1310 in Munich. Today you can visit a Christmas market in Berlin, the capital, as well as in most towns around the country.
So the first countries that started this tradition were Austria and Germany. People liked the idea and with time it spread to other neighbour countries like Czech Republic and Hungary. In Czech Republic Christmas markets are held in its capital -Prague and some other cities. In Hungary it is held in the capital Budapest, as well as in other cities around the country.
What can you buy at these markets?
Food and drinks, of course! And lots of presents. In Germany and Austria you can taste gingerbread cookies called lebkuchen, Christmas punch, mulled wine called glühwein, stollen, baked apple filled with chocolate, hazelnuts and decorated with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
In Czech Republic they also prepare Christmas cookies called Linzer cookies called linecke cukrovi in Czech and special Christmas bread called Vánočka /Vanoce – Christmas/. In Hungary they usually prepare stuffed cabbage leaves, like we do in Bulgaria. They also have some specific cakes like – Christmas dessert with poppy seeds, chimney cakes called kurtos kalacs /kurto-chimney, kalacs -cake/ and a moist cake with chocolate, nuts and dried fruit
What can you buy at these markets?
Food and drinks, of course! And lots of presents. In Germany and Austria you can taste gingerbread cookies called lebkuchen, Christmas punch, mulled wine called glühwein, stollen, baked apple filled with chocolate, hazelnuts and decorated with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
In Czech Republic they also prepare Christmas cookies called Linzer cookies called linecke cukrovi in Czech and special Christmas bread called Vánočka /Vanoce – Christmas/. In Hungary they usually prepare stuffed cabbage leaves, like we do in Bulgaria. They also have some specific cakes like – Christmas dessert with poppy seeds, chimney cakes called kurtos kalacs /kurto-chimney, kalacs -cake/ and a moist cake with chocolate, nuts and dried fruit