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Munich Christmas Market. Photo by Bbb.

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Christmas market in Munich

First documented in 1310 as a NikolaiMarkt, the Christmas market in Munich is the largest and oldest in Germany.  The Nikolaimarkt was renamed the Christmarkt in 1806.

 After several changes in location, as from 1972 the market found its place of business on the Marienplatz which is the central city square in Munich.

The market records around three million visitors every year drawn from all over the world who visit its over 150 market stands.

The Christmas tree which is placed in front of the town hall is donated to the citizens of Munich every year by a different town from either Austria or Italy and is usually adorned with over 2500 lights.

The top 10 interesting facts about Christmas market in Munich include the following.

1. The Christmas Tree is Placed in Front of The Town Hall Before the Market Opens Every Year

Decorated Christmas Tree. Photo by Ramessos.

The Christmas tree in Munich is erected in front of the Town hall early in the morning at six mostly in November. The Christmas tree is erected twelve days before the opening of the Munich Christmas market.

The Christmas tree is erected by the Munich professional fire brigade on Marienplatz where it is adorned with 2,500 lights.  To ensure the approximately 30-meter-high native fir tree is erected undamaged, five fire fighters use heavy equipment to erect it.

Nowadays the tree which is usually several years old is lowered into the 1.5-meter hole using a crane. The tree is connected to the town hall fa莽ade with tension cables to ensure it keeps standing even in the face of strong winds.

2. The Christmas Tree is Usually Donated As a Gift By a Different Town Either From Italy Or Austria

A different town each year either from Austria or Italy donates the Christmas tree for the Munich Christian Market.

The almost 30-meter Christmas tree is erected in front of the town hall with an estimated 2,500 lights used to decorate it.

An extensive musical-cultural program is prepared to accompany the ceremony of erecting the Christmas tree.

The Municipality sometimes presents itself in the courtyard of the town hall and operate a Gluhwein (mulled wine) stand as a reward for the gift.

 3. The Christmas Market in Munich is The Oldest and The Largest in Munich

The Christmas market in Munich was first documented in 1310 in the name of Nikolaimarkt or Nikolausmarkt. The name of the market was changed from Nikolaimarkt to Christmarkt in 1806.

In German -speaking world, the Christmas market in Munich is the oldest and also the largest. Records show that the market which has over 150 stalls receives over 3 million visitors every year.

After several changes in location, the market found a permanent abode in Marienplatz in 1972. The cultural office of the city administration usually oversees organization of the market every year. The authorities have expanded the exhibition area considerably in recent years.

4. The Christmas Market Was Originally Named After Saint Nicholas of Myra

Saint Nickolas of Myra. Photo by 效褍褉懈薪褗.

The Christmas market of Munich was initially named Nikolaimarkt or Nikolausmarkt   after Saint Nicholas of Myra. Saint Nicholas of Myra lived as from 15^th March 270 to 6^th December 343.

Saint Nicholas of Myra was also known as Nicholas of Bari and was an early Christian bishop of Greek descent from the maritime city of Myra. Myra was a city located in Asia Minor during the time of the Roman Empire.

5. Saint Nicholas鈥檚 Habit of Secret Gift-giving Gave Rise to Santa Claus

Santa Claus . Photo by Robert Walter Weir (1803鈥�1889) .

Saint Nicholas from which the early name of the Munich Christian market 鈥淣ikolausmarkt鈥� originated from was also called Nicholas the Wonderworker because of the many miracles that were attributed to his intercession.

As was common for early Christian saints, Saint Nicholas鈥檚 reputation evolved among the pious saints. The traditional model of Santa Claus through 鈥淪interklaas鈥� arose from Saint Nicholas鈥檚 legendary habit of secret gift-giving.

6. The Christmas Market in Munich Is Not the Only Christmas Market in Munich

Marienplatz in Munich. Photo by foundin_a_attic.

Even though the main Christmas market is located at Marienplatz in Munich, there are more than 10 markets in Munich. However, the most popular ones are easy to reach and are located within the Old Town.

The markets are so close to each other that visitors find it hard to distinguish between one market from the other since the market boundaries are not defined.

 Visitors arriving from Munich airport find that right

in the middle of the airport there is a Christmas market.

7. The Christian Market in Munich Is Not Open on Christmas Day

The Christmas market in Munich does not open on Christmas day as many would have imagined. The main market at Marienplatz commences on 21^st November and ends around noon on Christmas Eve.

The market鈥檚 closure around noon on Christmas Eve implies that on Christmas Day the market is not open. The Christmas market is however open within standard working hours on Sundays.

8. The Christian Market in Munich is The Liveliest Place in December

In December, the liveliest market is the Christmas market in Marienplatz which is the city鈥檚 main square.

The Christmas market in Munich is the largest with over 150 wooden stalls. The impressive Gothic Town Hall festively illuminated in the evenings in the backdrop, is more than perfect.

 In addition, a fairy tale ambience is created by the huge Christmas tree which is decorated with 2500 sparkling lights.

9. Wooden Huts Offer Delicious Foods and Hand Made Crafts

The Wooden huts in the market offers visitors all kinds of handmade crafts, Christmas sweet treats and delightful snacks.

In the market visitors are able to taste and buy the traditional German gingerbread as an enormous variety is displayed there.

Visitors who love wine are able to buy and enjoy from the magical atmosphere created in the market, a glass of mulled wine.

A variety of unique Christmas ornaments are also available at the market for visitors to purchase.

10. The Market is Most Visited by Tourists and is Often Overcrowded

Since the market is very popular it is visited by tourists from many parts of the world and also from within Germany itself.  Due to the large numbers of people at the market it is usually overcrowded.

Visitors to the market are advised to visit quite early before the market gets busy at around 5-6 AM. Visitors who visit the market early are also treated to Advent music played from the balcony of the Town Hall as from 5.30 AM