Origins of Germany's Christmas markets shrouded in mystery

By Klaus Tscharnke Dec 1, 2011, 3:06 GMT

Nuremberg, Germany - Germany's most famous Christmas market began last week in Nuremberg when the Christmas Angel opened the Christkindlesmarkt on Hauptmarkt square in the city's old quarter.

Christmas markets always conjure up images of a romantic winter atmosphere and city officials estimate that Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt will have attracted more than 2 million visitors from across the globe by Christmas Eve. The strongly-regulated market consists of approximately 180 wooden stalls, decorated with red-and-white cloth, which is the reason the event has earned the name 'Little Town from Wood and Cloth'.

The origins of the Christkindlesmarkt, just like most German Christmas markets, are unclear, although noone doubts the economic importance of the event to Nuremberg today. It is clear that the pre-Christmas romanticism associated with the modern Christmas markets only began to develop in the 19th century. Cultural anthropologists and historians believe part of the reason for their continuing charm is because many markets kept on the traditions of older winter markets.

Historian and city archivist Horst-Dieter Beyerstedt refuses to be pinned down on when he believes the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt first came into being. A flourishing winter market certainly existed in the free imperial city at the end of the 17th century as evidenced by a reference to a Christkindlesmarkt in a book of Nuremberg's history dating back to 1697.

However, Beyerstedt is certain that the origins of the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt date all the way back to the middle of the 16th century. At that time, more goods than usual were on offer during the Advent period due to the upcoming Christmas festival.

The German Christmas tradition also gathered extra impetus around this period because of the Protestant Reformation begun by Martin Luther. According to legend, Martin Luther thought the growing belief in Saint Nicholas took away from the true meaning of Christmas, which was to celebrate the birth of Jesus. He is credited with introducing the Christkindl, who is usually portrayed by a young girl with a golden crown and wings, as the bringer of gifts for children.

Previously, Martin Luther had followed tradition and given his children presents on December 6, the feast day of Saint Nicholas, but then began giving gifts on Christmas Eve. Many of Nuremberg's patricians followed Martin Luther's example, such as Endres Imhoff, who noted in his housekeeping book in 1564 that presents for children would now be given on December 22 instead of December 6.

In 1616, meanwhile, Pastor Lueder from Nuremberg's Sebaldus Church complained that on Christmas Eve he had to cancel the Vespers and afternoon sermon, because 'no-one was present as they were all shopping for Christmas gifts.'

The Christkindl tradition was brought to the United States by German and Swiss immigrants, who settled in Pennsylvania during the 18th century. The word Christkindl was eventually simplified to Kriss Kringle, and became another name for Santa Claus.

The modern German Christmas market owes its present format, and perhaps success, to the post-war German economic wonder. 'A new culture of giving presents developed at this point. People looking for presents became interested in shopping. Christmas markets with their cosy atmosphere fitted the bill perfectly,' explains Felicitas Hoeptner, head of the Rothenburg Christmas museum situated west of Nuremberg.

Folklorist Berthold Heizmann believes that the success of Christmas markets is also due to the fact that they remind many people of their own childhood. 'Even if you close your eyes and ears, the smell of mulled wine and spicy gingerbread is enough for you to realise you are at a Christmas market,' he says.