The streets of this market square are all decked out in a tradition born nearly 700 years ago. Weihnachtsmarkte or Christkindlmarkte (Christmas markets, if you prefer less of a mouthful), take place around the world, but they originated in Germany as a celebratory way to observe Advent, the Christian season leading up to Christmas Eve. These markets are generally open-air affairs where everything is decorated, including the trees (called Tannenbaums in German if they"re firs). People shop from local artisans who sell their handmade wares in small wooden chalets. Then it"s off to eat traditional foods—roasted almonds, pastries, and biscuits—and sip on warm mulled wine.
It’s Weihnachtsmarkt time!
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
-
Bear watching in the Finnish forest
-
A bird of beauty
-
Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
-
Patriot Day
-
Wat Sri Sawai in Sukhothai Historical Park, Thailand
-
Alstrom Point, Lake Powell, Utah
-
Happy International Day of Forests!
-
Sweet! It’s maple syrup season
-
Maya site of Copán
-
King of the dinosaurs
-
Churún Merú waterfall in Venezuela
-
Sequoia National Parks 134th anniversary
-
Hay bales in North Yorkshire, England
-
The Elbe in Dresden, Germany
-
Wanderin Wawayanda
-
World Turtle Day
-
World Meteorological Day
-
Dancing waters of Dubai
-
Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, Arizona
-
Brooklyn Bridge Park in Brooklyn, New York
-
Grandparents Day
-
North Cascades National Park at 50
-
Social climbing
-
Eben Ice Caves, Upper Peninsula, Michigan
-
Peggys Point Lighthouse, Atlantic Coast, Nova Scotia, Canada
-
A stunning sight in Mexico s wilderness
-
Nature Photography Day
-
Val Gardena, South Tyrol, Dolomites, Italy
-
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
-
Embracing the cold
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

