Mercatini di Natale
Ecco la lista dei migliori 20 mercatini europei stilata dal Times per il 2009:
GERMANY
Berlin Nov 26- Dec 31: As befits the modern feel of Germany’s thriving capital, the Christmas markets are more contemporary in look, feel and wares that those in the older cities around Germany. The most popular market, with around four million visitors a year, is at Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche.
Munich Nov 27 – Dec 24: Famous for its Oktoberfest but also for the seasonal market on its town sqare, the Marienplatz. Sample the fare and be sure to check out the local artisan products, including hand-crafted wooden nativity figures.
Nuremberg Nov 28 – Dec 24: Nuremberg is the biggest and perhaps the best in Germany. It is a perfect tinselly treat. Gingerbread is a speciality of the region, so get your finest Hansel and Gretel garb on and feast on that and the speciality sausage – Nuremberger bratwursts.
Trier Nov 24 – Dec 22: Claiming to be Germany’s oldest city with yet another historic Christmas market, this former Roman settlement on the Moselle ticks all then right boxes for a shopping break. It’s not as big as those in the bigger cities but Trier boasts an impressive cathedral and Roman tower as well as an excellent selection of shops.
Cologne Nov 28 – Dec 23: There are six Christmas markets in Cologne, the largest taking place at Neumarkt, with smaller ones including a medieval affair near the Lindt chocolate museum and one that takes place on a boat on the Rhine.
BELGIUM
Bruges Nov 24 – Dec 31: Head to this idyllic old town centre for Belgium’s finest Christmas markets. Channel-hopping on the high-speed Eurostar makes this an easy destination for a christmas shopping dash.
Brussels Dec 1 – Dec 31: The Belgian capital’s market is held on Place St Catherine throughout December. In addition to the shoppnig you can get active on the seasonal ice skating rink.
FRANCE
Strasbourg Nov 29 – Dec 24: Strasbourg hosts the biggest Christmas market in France. It’s been running since 1570, is known as Christkindelsmarik, and takes place by the Cathedrale Notre-Dame and along Place Broglie.
Lille Nov 19 – Dec 30: Taking place in the place Rihour in the centre of town, this month-long market is a short train ride away. Father Christmas attends frequently until the Saturday before Christmas when he ‘falls’ from the Chamber of Commerce’s 80-metre-high Belfry.
Paris Dec 5 – Dec 31: the Paris Christmas markets are held at Boulevard Saint Germain (December 5-31) and the Place Saint-Sulpice (December 10-24). Meet Père Noël and take a drink of vin chaud (mulled wine) in the french capital.
DENMARK
Copenhagen Nov 17 – Dec 30: The Tivoli Gardens in the centre of Denmark’s capital have all the fun of the fair. Rollercoasters and other theme park rides add extra excitement to the masses of Christmas trees, presents, elves and stalls. The gardens are transformed by a huge Christmas Tree and miles of fairy lights: the Tivoli Lights were invented by Tiffany’s head designer John Loring – 1,800 light chains are needed for the willows around The Tivoli Lake.
SWEDEN
Stockholm Nov 25 – Dec 22: There’s markets throughout the Swedish capital, with the main one held daily in medieval old town old town (Gamla Stan) is held daily. There’s a weekend market at the Skansen on Djurgården island that has been running since 1903.
ESTONIA
Tallinn Nov 29 – Jan 7: The chilly Baltic winter is warmed by this market on Raekoja plats, the Old Town Hall Square. It was only started in 1991, but the gorgeous old town makes it seem much more historic.
Krakow Dec 1 – Dec 31: There’s plenty of inspiration for Christmas gifts in this Polish gem of a city. Stunning architecture dates back to the city’s golden age in the 15th and 16th centuries when it was the country’s capital.
CZECH REPUBLIC
Prague Nov 29 – Jan 1: In a country whose patron saint is the subject of his very own Christmas carol, there has to be a superb Christmas market. Good King Wenceslas was the Duke of Bohemia in the 10th century, and Wenceslas Square hosts one of the most famous Christmas markets. The most popular market takes place on the almost impossibly picturesque Old Town Square, with its gothic and baroque church and cathedral and 15th century astronomical clock.
Praha
Praha
AUSTRIA
Vienna Nov 15 – Dec 24: You can get shopping from the end of November in Austria’s capital, where the biggest markets are held in front of the city hall, at the Spittelberg and inside the university campus.
Salzburg Nov 20 – Dec 26: Soak up the history and atmosphere in Mozart’s birthplace, one of the best preserved of Europe’s medieval old towns. Perfect for taking in a concert after your shopping spree.
Vienna
Vienna
SWITZERLAND
Basel Nov 24 – Dec 23: Switzerland’s largest Christmas market is the Weinachtsmarkt in Basel. Be sure to try the traditional St Nicholas pastries and butter cookies. Situated on the Rhine at the borders with france and Germany, this is the best of the country’s fairytale market locations.
HUNGARY
Budapest Nov 21 – Dec 29: This year events get underway on November 29 in Vörösmarty Square in the heart of Pest district, featuring almost 150 colourful stalls. Father Christmas is there on December 6-7. The square will also host daily music, dance and puppet theatre.
SLOVENIA
Ljubljana Dec 1 – 31: Held on the banks of the Ljubljanica river in the heart of the city, Slovenia holds its own in the battle against the more famous destinations.
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Considerazioni: ovviamente non ho visitato tutti questi mercatini, ma in cima alla lista avrei messo sicuramente Vienna, seguita da Praga e Berlino. E da qualche parte nella mia lista anche Brema.
Anche solo con questa foto, non viene voglia di andare a Vienna??!
Consigli: ho letto su molte e attendibili fonti che Colmar è un paese che rende molto per i mercatini natalizi. Peccato la strada da percorrere per un breve weekend sia troppa, ma sicuramente è da mettere nei “must visit”.
Nota: sarà un caso che nella lista del Times non c’è nemmeno un mercatino di qua delle Alpi??!
.::| Elyxir |::. 