Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom

This was one of my favorite Christmas Markets. Simon’s mom read that it was voted the most popular in Germany. First a few pics of the Dom itself- even though pictures just don’t do it justice. It is VERY impressive (I’ll do a whole blog post on it at a later date). Some quick facts- building of the Dom started in 1248 and was finished in 1880 (to make a long story short, there were some delays). It’s 515 ft. tall and it’s two huge spires give it the largest facade of any church in the world. The cathedral is home to the Shrine of the Three Kings, which is made out of gold and it is believed to hold the remains of the Three Wise Men.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These “smokers” are very popular here. It’s actually 2 pieces- you lift the top half off and put a pyramid shaped piece of incense in there, light it, and put the top back on. Then the figure appears to be smoking a pipe since smoke from the incense is wafting out. We have a Santa one at home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I bought the Köln skyline candle in the middle (made out of wood).

 

Germans love Nutella like Americans love Peanut Butter

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rievkooche/ Reibekuchen is probably the most popular Weihnachtsmarkt food. It’s a shredded potato and onion patty that’s fried and often dipped in applesauce. Here’s one below…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bread, bread, and more bread…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I bought a few of these wooden tree ornaments

 

 

Every flavor of Liqueur

 

This angel is put up every year

Crowd in front of the Dom

In front of the Dom (Weihnachtsmarkt around the corner).

This stone archway in front of the Dom was the North Gate of the old Roman city wall and is about 2,000 years old!

Another view of it…

 

 

This year’s Dom Weihnachtsmarkt mug