0
0
Hameln is best known for its famous rat-expelling kidnapper, the Pied Piper. One of the biggest highlights when visiting the town in any season, is the Glockenspiel that reenacts this fairy tale.
During the holiday season, the Hochzeithaus housing the Glockenspiel turns into the town Advent calendar.
Hameln’s surprisingly robust Weihnachtsmarkt stretched throughout town with several streets of vendors, some rides, and all the food and drink of Christmastime in Germany.
There was, of course, a giant Christmas pyramid.
(Which stood not far from one of my favorite statues in Germany)
I noticed some nicer wood carvings at this market–better craftsmanship and more impressive sizes than what was available in most of the markets we’ve visited.
Some vendors were hawking rat-themed Christmas decorations and home decor. In general, the market played up the fairy tale legacy of the town.
Between the Glockenspiel, the rat theme, the architecture, and the quality of wares, this market has remained a favorite of mine. They did a great job of marrying the wonder of fairy tales with the wonder of Christmas. Were it closer to us, I would return.
We also enjoyed the timeliness of blowing our own glass ornaments at the local glassworks, the Glashütte Hameln. We first watched a demonstration of how the glass is blown (albeit in German, which was kindly translated into English as much as possible for our benefit), then each of us went down to the floor to create our own ornament.
What we brought home from the market: a glass votive with a Fachwerk-filled town image painted on it, a clay bell Christmas ornament in the shape of a rat, and our personally-blown glass ornaments. Looking back, I wish I’d bought more!
Looking for a hotel in Hamelin?
