Traffic was slow that we almost fell asleep. There must be a lot of people heading to the Vienna Christmas Market (Wiener Christkindlmarkt). Luckily, we had our Uber driver who knew exactly the best route. We thought of going by route of train, tram, and bus. Our unfamiliarity with the city’s traffic flow gave us cold feet. It was just our first day in Vienna, Austria.

A cultural practice brought to all the world

Christmas markets are popular all over the world. This is a cultural practice that originated in Germany during the late medieval times. German-speaking communities all over the world brought this cultural practice with them. History indicated that this was a great way for a community to begin stocking up on meat and other winter necessities. Local craftsmen, selling crafts like toys, baskets, and confectionary, became part of the market over the next century. Their crafts were selling as gifts for the Christmas season.

The Vienna Christmas Market was our first Christmas market experience in Austria. Our introduction couldn’t have been even better! It is one of the biggest and most beautiful in Europe. The venue, Vienna’s Rathausplatz (City Hall Square), is a vast area in front of the equally majestic Vienna Rathaus (City Hall).

A colorfully lighted arch marked the front entrance to the market at Universitätsring (university ring). Right behind the arch, merrily attracting children and adults, was a Merry-Go-Round. Booths, occupying both sides of the walkway, were selling the variety of local products that made the market popular.

The food, drinks, and other goodies

There were Wiener schnitzel, bratwurst, and rindwurst waiting to be tasted. Pommes, and langós waited patiently at the side. Mulled wine, hot chocolate, and punch were just a few of the drink choices to wash down food. Dry goods (locally made beanie caps, mittens, gloves, and shawls), toys and trinkets were on display in well-lighted booths.

The giant, well-lighted Christmas tree and life-sized Nativity scene cannot be outdone. It is, by the way, a Christmas market!

View our photographs at gsilvosatrekpix.pixels.com. There are options to view and print the photographs as wall art (canvas, paper print, metal print), home decor (throw pillow, fleece blankets), or lifestyle items ( tote bag, coffee mugs). Think of it as great gift items for the holiday season.