Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg

 Greetings from Germany's most famous Christmas Market - the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt.  This is a one-of-a-kind Christmas festival where even other countries are featured with their own booths.  We were fortunate (or maybe not) to visit on the opening weekend in December.  It seemed like the entire continent of Europe was joining us the day we visited.  It was one of the first really cold wintry days of the season.  Together with our friends Chris and Sue, we drove about 2 hours Southeast to this old Bavarian city.  Nuremberg is considered the unofficial capital of the Holy Roman Empire because the courts met at Nuremberg Castle.  Most Americans remember this city's name because of the Nuremberg war crimes trials that were held here in 1945-46.

Nuremberg is also known for its sausages - they look like mini bratwurst - and there are plenty available at the market.  Under each candy-cane-striped rooftop, you find only Christmas-themed goods, some home-made, some made in China!  And, of course, all types of flavors of Gluhwein - the very German tradition of hot, mulled wine.  Cherry was our favorite!

An awesome display of Nuremberg sausages ready to be stuffed into a fresh hard roll.  Pete loved em.

Here's a life size version of the traditional Christmas Pyramid.  A kind of multi-layered carousel that uses the heat from candles to spin around the Christmas manger scenes.

A glimpse of the crowds visiting on opening day with us!

No, it's not the Budweiser Clydesdales, just a Christmas coach.

This is the center of the plaza where the festival takes place.  The balcony on the church behind is where the Christkind Queen is crowned (whatever that means).

A look at the massive inventory of hand-made ornaments.

This is the only place a caretaker can stand in the small booths.

Santa and doggie santa.

As dusk was falling, even more visitors arrived into the city center.

This little side street near the river featured the world's largest flaming punch bowl.

That's the punch bowl on top of the makeshift bar erupting in flames!  Germans know how to throw a party - over the top and efficient.

Pete, Mary, Chris and Sue in front of the Christkind Queen's church.

From Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt to Wiesbaden's Sternschnuppen Markt next.... Tschus!