Discover Germany | Special Theme | Magical Christmas Time
Enjoying some mulled wine. Photo: © Romana Dombrowski
The light market St. Lamberti.
Münster’s Christmas markets
Advent in Münster – a winter fairy tale When the Prinzipalmarkt takes on a golden radiance, the archways are embellished with Advent wreaths, the smell of mulled wine and roasted almonds flows through the streets and the stores are festively decorated, Münster’s probably most beautiful season begins: from 27 November to 23 December, five Christmas markets will open their doors and transform Münster’s old town into a winter fairy tale. TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF | PHOTOS: WWW.AIR-KLICK.DE
Only a few walking minutes away from each other, the markets invite for cosy Christmas strolls. Under a romantic lightfilled sky, the oldest and largest Christmas market can be found on and around the town hall’s courtyard. Here, exceptional jewellery pieces, arts and craft and numerous culinary offerings are showcased. At the foot of the mighty St. Lamberti Church and surrounded by historic arc houses, the light market St. Lamberti impresses with blue pointed roof stalls and a 20-metre-high Christmas tree. Indulgence and tradition are combined on the rustic stands of the cosy Christmas village that can be found around the monument of Münster’s Kiepenkerl.
derful view across the illuminated steeples of the Münster Cathedral, the Giebelhüüskes Market opens its doors with great handicraft and special delicacies.
The Aegidii Christmas Market presents itself as especially family-friendly. A beautiful crib and a six-metre-high, richly decorated wooden pyramid makes children’s eyes shine. In front of the medieval walls of the Überwasserkirche and with a won-
Special tip
Room for meditative moments can be found in the many churches. Concerts and top-class exhibitions in Münster’s museums cater for the cultural side programme. Furthermore, informative Advent tours give insights into Münster’s history and traditions. Childcare offering in the Maxi-Tower (Prinzipalmarkt 15) offers children that are from four to ten years old the alternative programme to their parent’s relaxing Christmas stroll (Monday to Friday: 2pm to 6pm, Saturday: 10am to 6pm).
30 buildings from the 17th to 19th century, as well as festively decorated wooden huts (www.muehlenhof-muenster.org). Extraordinary highlights Why not visit the opening ceremony with mayor Markus Lewe and the ‘6-Zylinder’ in front of the St. Lamberti Church on 27 November at 5pm? The well-known acapella group will sing parts of their Der Schweinachtsmann musical. Furthermore, a large Advent singing event will take place on the illuminated Prinzipalmarkt with Team Rauterberg on 10 December at 4.30pm. Annually, hundreds of people gather here to sing cult and classic songs like Last Christmas or Silent Night together. Opening hours of the Christmas markets: Sunday – Thursday: 11am - 8pm Friday – Saturday: 11am – 9pm Facebook: www.facebook.com/muenstermarketing Instagram: @exploremuenster #adventinmuenster Website: www.tourismus.muenster.de
Giebelhüüskes Market.
78 | Issue 56 | November 2017
A special Christmas market with a great deal of nostalgia takes place in the historic open-air museum of Mühlenhof on the second and third Advent weekend. Here, visitors can look forward to around