Vienna, Austria can make a claim to having the original Christkindlmarkt.
Their December Market was the forerunner of the modern version and dates back to 1294.
The Wiener Christkindlmarkt in the Rathausplatz, the plaza in front of the town hall, is the city’s premier advent market.
See our full adventure in Vienna!
See our full adventure in Vienna!
As with all of the Christmas markets we’ve seen, food is a huge component.
This is Vienna, so we must have a sausage, or two. And, of course, a steaming mug of glühwein to ward off the chill.
We must say, these Vienna sausages are much better than their namesake in the United States that come in a can!
David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com
Delve deeper:
See our full adventure in Vienna
See more about the history of Christmas markets and our explorations of these markets around the world!
Thanks to Viking River Cruises for inviting us along and providing this adventure! As always, all opinions are our own. See our entire Christmas cruise along The Danube with stops in Budapest, Bratislavia, Vienna, Durnstein & Melk, Salzburg, and Passau.
Such great! & an informative article amazing post and great content. Thanks for sharing this article. Thanks Again!!
Christmas markets, a very authentic and old tradition of Central Europe
Christmas markets are one of the most visible tradition of the central European region , created in the Late Middle Ages in the German-speaking part of Central Europe. The Vienna “December market” which dates back to 1294, was one of the earliest recorded examples of such a market.
Most market open up with the beginning of Advent, 4 weeks before Christmas, and usher in the Christmas season.
The focal point of these markets are the traditional Nativity Scene with their depiction of the birth of Jesus in the manger, surrounded by stall that sell things rustic hand made Christmas decorations , dried fruit and mulled wine to cast off the cold.