Black Forest Christmas Markets

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With this article we want to discover some of the most evocative and least known Christmas markets in the German land of Baden-Württemberg. This region of Germany is located in the southwestern part of the country and borders France and Switzerland. The center of this region is the so-called Black Forest, an area made up of mountains and forests that has become a popular tourist destination, here there are some charming mountain villages and some historic towns along the Rhine valley. The most important city in the area, Freiburg im Breisgau (Freiburg im Breisgau), is a jewel of medieval architecture and hosts a beautiful Christmas market. Freiburg im Breisgau Christmas Market.

Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market (Weihnachtsmarkt in der Ravennaschlucht).

In the southern Black Forest (Hochschwarzwald), about 30 km east of Freiburg im Breisgau (Freiburg im Breisgau) and at an altitude of over 1,000 metres, there is the small village of Breitnau, a municipality in the Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald district which has little more of 1,600 inhabitants. In this wild and romantic setting of the Black Forest, one of the most evocative small markets in Germany takes place: the Christmas market in the Ravenna Gorge (Weihnachtsmarkt in der Ravennaschlucht).

The Christmas market is set under the Ravennabrücke railway bridge in a mysterious aura within the Ravenna Gorge (Ravennaschlucht), a valley of legends that tell the story of the peoples who have lived here over the centuries. The Christmas market is made up of about 40 wooden chalets which, on Advent weekends, offer quality traditional crafts  and local gastronomy. In a dreamlike atmosphere, immersed in a unique sea of lights.

The market offers unique gift ideas, mulled wine, quiches, potato noodles, culinary delights from the Black Forest, toys, handicrafts, Christmas decorations and typical Christmas biscuits. The Hochschwarzwald Weihnachtsmarkt program also features live sounds and shows, with the illuminated viaduct and fireplaces to warm up the atmosphere, Christmas concerts, rides for children, a rich entertainment program for children and Christmas carols.

How to get there: The easiest way to reach the Christmas Market is to use the shuttle buses that constantly connect it with the Hinterzarten and Himmelreich railway stations. Near the two stations there are marked parking lots for those visiting the market. Otherwise it is necessary to book a parking space online near the market to park your car comfortably in one of the 400 available parking spaces.

Staufen im Breisgau Christmas Market (Altstaufener Weihnachtsmarkt).

Just south of Freiburg in Breisgau (Freiburg im Breisgau) and near the French border, on the edge of the Black Forest at the foot of the Münstertal, is the town of Staufen im Breisgau, a town inhabited by just over 7,000 people.

In this locality, on the Saturday of the second week of Advent, a charming Christmas market takes place which fills most of the streets of the historic center (Altstadt) delightfully decorated for the holidays. The Staufen im Breisgau Christmas market is made up of almost a hundred retail, catering and charitable institutions stands, where you can find a wide range of original gift ideas.

Rottweil Christmas Market (Rottweiler Weihnachtsmarkt).

Let’s now visit a slightly larger town, with about 25,000 inhabitants, the city of Rottweil located south of Stuttgart, between the Black Forest and the Swabian Alb. This is a city of very ancient origins, it seems to be the oldest city in Baden-Württemberg, it was in fact founded by the Romans in 73 AD. with the name of Arae Flaviae. Subsequently it was for about 600 years a free imperial city (Freie und Reichsstädte), that is, it was one of the cities directly dependent on the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Rottweil, which among other things gave its name to the famous Rottweiler dog breed, has a splendid historic center with a medieval appearance.

The Christmas Market (Rottweiler Weihnachtsmarkt) takes place in the evocative setting of the historic center of Rottweil (Historische Innenstadt). Flooded by the scent of mulled wine and toasted almonds, the market has a wonderful Christmas atmosphere and offers quality artisan products and original gastronomic proposals in its 40 wooden huts. The cultural program of the Christmas market offers music and choral singing shows on the stage in front of the Old Town Hall. For the children there is a wonderful carousel and there will also be the opportunity to ride ponies.

Neuenburg am Rhein Christmas Market (Neuenburger Weihnachtsmarkt).

South of Freiburg in Breisgau (Freiburg im Breisgau), between the French city of Mulhouse and the Swiss city of Basel, along the German bank of the Rhine, lies the town of Neuenburg am Rhein.

In the evocative atmosphere of the central square (Rathausplatz) of this town of about 11,000 inhabitants, a traditional Christmas market takes place, made up of about 40 delightfully decorated wooden chalets. The stalls decorated with their Christmas offers are the heart of the market, you will find: figurines carved in wood for the crib, candles, Christmas flowers, decorative items, small original gifts, there are also numerous food stalls with mulled wine and hot punch .

On the last weekend there are also artists and craftsmen. Children find special attention in this market, with rides and shows dedicated to them. The central theme of the Christmas market is fairy tales and the stalls are decorated in relation to the fairy tale theme of the year.

Emmendingen Christmas Market (Emmendinger Weihnachtsmarkt).

A town of over 25,000 inhabitants, Emmendingen is located on the western edge of the Black Forest, along the Elz river, a few kilometers north of Freiburg in Breisgau (Freiburg im Breisgau). The Emmendingen Christmas Market takes place on the beautiful and welcoming market square (Marktplatz), in the historic city centre. The market takes place every day during the four weeks of Advent. The festively decorated huts, the city’s decorations and lights, a large festively decorated Christmas tree and over 50 Christmas trees scattered throughout the city offer a splendid pre-Christmas atmosphere. A large ice skating rink is located near the Christmas market. There are countless attractions for children: fairy tales, rides, workshops, music and songs.

This post is also available in: Italiano