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- My visit to Hamburg in December 1996, was a perfect opportunity to also visit Hamburg’s historic downtown Christmas Market or ‘Weihnachtsmärkte’ in Hamburg.
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- I’ve always loved Christmas lights and decorations, and there is nothing like a traditional Christmas Market to warm your heart with good food and drink, traditional ornaments and all the lights you could ever want to see!
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- Here’s a link to ‘Christmas in Hamburg’ or ‘Weihnachtsmärkte in Hamburg’ – http://www.hamburg.de/ weihnachtsmarkt/
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- For a city of the size of Hamburg, there are many Christmas Markets set up around the city, both large and small – this one was around the Binnenalster, or the inner-lake within Hamburg’s central district.
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- The ‘Binnenalster’ or square lake in downtown Hamburg, will become clearer in Part Two following this post, but here is an article describing it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Binnenalster
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- All German Christmas Markets have well made booths and stalls for displaying merchandise, clothing and food items for sale – often sponsored by groups and clubs within the community.
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- The concept of the Christmas Tree was originally given to us from Germany, where lights and evergreen boughs reminded Christians of the Light of Christ and everlasting life, in the dreary, darkness of winter.
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- No Christmas Market is complete without a Nativity Scene, reminding all the participants that the infant Jesus was the reason for the season.
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- This giant Christmas Light Pyramid represents the smaller versions that people have in their homes, to add light and heat to the darkness – the vanes turn the Nativity Scene within the pyramid from the heat generated by the candles like a vertical propeller.
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- I took these next few pictures inside one of Hamburg’s churches, which was all decorated for the Christmas Season.
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- Although the lighting was dim, you can still see the intricate and exquisite details of the High Altar.
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- This beautiful church balcony stands out in clear view in this photo, while the historic pipe organ fades into the dimly lit background above the balcony.
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- Across the sanctuary in an opposing balcony illuminated by the ambient lighting of a few windows, this more modern pipe organ is surrounded by an orchestral and choir loft.
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- This Nativity Scene is part of the church’s Christmas decorations within the sanctuary, celebrating Advent and the Season of Christmas.
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- This is a photo of an interesting scene along the perimeter of the Christmas Market – I wasn’t sure what the significance was of the crate suspended above the sidewalk.
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- A quartet performing in front of storefront windows was but one of the many interesting things to see and do while visiting the Christmas Market – besides shop and eat!
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- In the dim lighting and shadows of the evening, you can make out the lights from the historic tower that rises high above Hamburg’s historic downtown Christmas Market.
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