It’s no secret that the Christmas markets in Europe are popular events in winter. In recent years, they have become a “must do” for the winter season, with tour groups even offering Christmas market-only itineraries. You can find loads and loads of articles on the internet talking about where to go, what to eat, how to shop, etc.
And while, despite following the same formula of Christmas ornaments and other goods for sale, mulled wine and other drinks for sale, each Christmas market still manages to maintain its own distinct flavor in an increasingly crowded space, maybe you’re craving something even more different.
With this in mind, and with history being a major theme of this blog, allow me to introduce you to…
The Medieval Christmas Market
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A brief history of Christmas Markets
While Christmas markets have become hugely popular in recent years, their history extends back many centuries.
The origin of the Christmas markets probably weren’t tied to Christmas at all.
Most histories of the Christmas markets point to either a market in Vienna from 1296 or to the Dresden Striezelmarkt, which dates to 1434, as the original Christmas market.
I’d propose that these markets spun out of a longer tradition of medieval fairs.
Fairs, wherein goods were sold, were a large part of the medieval economy. Stretching back to the Carolingian period in the 9th century, they were oftentimes, although not necessarily, tied to religious feast days.
The Dresden market – which touts itself as the oldest continuous market – opened for one day on Christmas Eve so that people could purchase their Christmas meal, and so is the first market demonstrably tied to Christmas.
Christmas markets spread throughout the German-speaking world over the next centuries.
Protestant reformer Martin Luther was said to play a role in the development of the markets. To draw people’s attention away from Catholic saints, he had the “Christkind” – the Christ child – as the primary giver of gifts on Christmas Eve, instead of the more traditional Saint Nicholas on Dec. 6th. The Christkind, in addition to giving his name to several markets across German-speaking Europe, still features in the opening ceremony of some Christmas markets.
Many Christmas markets grew in the 19th century thanks to the Industrial Revolution. As the number of people with disposable income grew, the demand for more goods also increased.
A little later, the Nazis promoted Christmas markets – albeit stripping away the religious elements and replacing them with ideological ones – as part of their efforts to glorify German culture. The famous Nuremberg Christmas market, for example, was revived by the Nazis after a period of decline in the preceding century.
Today, Christmas markets have spread far beyond Europe. They can be found in the US, Canada, Japan, Singapore, and China.
No matter where they are found, they all continue the centuries-old tradition of bringing people together during what has become the most festive time of year.
The Medieval Christmas Market, Munich
Without further ado, on to the Medieval Christmas Market in Munich!
Located in Wittelsbachplatz, a couple of blocks down from the famous Odeonsplatz, this small but mighty Christmas market lovingly incorporates medieval themes into its aesthetics and offerings.
While we don’t know exactly how the first Christmas markets looked like, the intent here is to recreate the feeling of the Middle Ages, and that’s what this market does well.
So what are some of the ways this market brings the medieval world to life?
Lots, actually. That’s what I love about Germany and theming: when they go, they go for accuracy. As someone with a graduate degree in Medieval History, I wholeheartedly appreciate the commitment to authenticity.
Many of the elements you’ll see at the Christmas market are direct recreations from Munich’s history.
For example, the shoes, halberd, and shield of the market guards are all taken from examples found in the Munich City Museum or the Archaeological State Collection.
The cups of the market are embossed with a design taken from the Munich city seal of 1323.
Even some of the entertainment takes its cue from medieval sources.
Every Sunday, Caspar Notthafft, the same knight in the joust played by the nearby Glockenspiel, makes an appearance in full armor.
The Munich Moriskentänzer from the local technical university put on a performance inspired by The Morris Dancers, an exceptional example of late Gothic sculpture that can be found in the Munich City Museum.
There are other elements of the market that give it that medieval feeling, even if they aren’t strictly based on original source material.
The stalls are all made of wood and individually carved for an old-timey feel. I particularly liked the real fire torches that were lit on the stalls’ entrance once it got dark, as well as the castle tower at the entrance. (The one downside to the fire torches was they did get extinguished in the rain, as I witnessed.)
Naturally, all the vendors are in costume, further adding to the medieval theme.
Food and drink are said to be prepared according to traditional recipes. While I can’t verify this, the pig turning on a spit did look like something straight out of a medieval kitchen.
The Munich Medieval Christmas market is also host to a variety of entertainment performances which take place throughout the month. Apart from those mentioned above, you can watch jester acts, jugglers, acrobats, historic music (a harpist provided the evening’s entertainment while we were there), and even a fire show – all reminiscent of travelling troupes and the type of entertainment you’d actually find in the Middle Ages.
Certainly not least, there are a variety of medieval-inspired items for sale. These include arms and armor (I’m not kidding – there were like full on helmets and axes for sale), jewelry, mythical figurines, products made from felt, wool, beeswax, and sheepskin, wood boxes, drinking horns, and yes, medieval clothing.
And yes, I did buy a Ren faire costume when I visited.
The only minor downside to this market is that it isn’t exactly Christmas-y feeling. There was one store facing the main street that sold Christmas village houses, but apart from that, nothing would tip you off that this is a Christmas market.
But maybe it isn’t. Maybe, as it would have been in the Middle Ages, it’s a market just happening to take place around Christmastime. And for that, another point goes towards authenticity.
Overall, is Munich’s medieval Christmas market worth the visit? Absolutely.
Next time you’re in Munich, be sure to add this unique Christmas market to your list!
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