Bad Hamburg--A Royal Christmas Market

We have gone all over the region to Christmas Markets but we have not done the markets near by. We had a few minutes on the weekend so we decided to go look at the Christmas Market at Bad Hamburg. Bad Hamburg is the village next to us and has a summer castle that several royals stayed in over the years. It seemed especially active during the years of Queen Victoria. 

We liked that the market was in the castle squares and around the castle hill. It was a smaller market, but had more of the cute stores we love about German markets. (Some of the others are commercialized and items are made in China). 

Lady Hiva bought some chestnuts and roasted them in the oven at home. It was not as good as the ones at the markets, but it was still really fun. 

I found a new creche to add to my collection. I have them from all over the world and this one will be from our neighborhood! I love seeing the local artisans proud of their art and even more happy to see others enjoy what they make too. 

The Christmas Tree in the lobby of the Castle. 

I was so proud of these two for ordering their own bratwurst in German! They did amazing

We loved these colorful sheep named Martha! We laughed that Pluba was with us. 

 

Putting Christ in Christmas in Trier, Germany

 

We woke up in France, just across the border from Luxembourg. We did some shopping at Carrefour. We have loved Carrefour since our days in Istanbul. It is such a great store with everything you need and many things you didn't know you wanted until you were there! HAHA. Then we drove to Trier, Germany. It also is on the Luxembourg border. I have been here several times for work, but it was fun to take the family as tour some touring around the city. 

It was still raining but, we did not let that stop us. In true German fashion, we just dressed for the weather and went to explore. The Trier markets were small, but we liked them. I think that a combination of them being small and the rain, kept other people away. That way we did not have to fight for space. 

Trier was the home to the Emperor Constantine for 6 years. There are still ancient buildings from his time there. We went to the the Dom and admired the expansive architecture and the years of history dating back hundreds and hundreds of years. We also went to see the "Cloak of Christ." People make pilgrimage to Trier to see it. It was said to be Christ's cloak that was brought to Trier by Constantine's mother. 

We went and walked the cloisters and that was amazingly beautiful. 

I realized as we walked the cloisters that there is a whole other cathedral next to the main cathedral. The Liebfrauen Kirche. We searched until we found an entrance. It was hard to find, therefore, there were not as many tourists were in there. It was cool to hear scriptures being played in German over the speakers. There was a reverence and beauty in this chapel. 

The enormous stain glass windows have the room such a colorful glow. We ended up staying in here just quietly revering the time. 

The Porte Negra is the old Roman gate that welcomed people to the city.

The Market had a focus on Jesus. All the decorations and booths had some aspect to remind us of the season's purpose.