Medieval Christmas Market in Siegburg

On Saturday night Jim and I went to Siegburg to check out their Christmas market. We had been told that it was a Medieval Christmas Market so figured it would be something a little different than the markets we have already seen.

Siegburg is located between Cologne and Bonn about 15k away. We decided to take the train there as Jim hadn't yet experienced the public transportation system here in Bonn, and of course we both wanted to drink some gluhwein.

The market was torch-lit and had an authenticly medieval glow to it. I was glad that we went at night because I'm not sure it would have had the same feel during the day. The market was littered with small bonfires lined with people warming their outsides while drinking gluhwein to warm their insides.

When we arrived there were a group of entertainers in medieval garb with hand held torches singing a song. What they were singing about I had no clue, but it was entertaining nonetheless.

The food, drink and vendor stalls were all made to look like they were of rudimentary construction and the vendors were all dressed in period clothing. The items for sale were things you might have seen in a typical market in medieval times - baskets, spices, clothing, wooden toys and simple leather soleless shoes.

The food offered was slightly different than the typical fare of bratwurst, waffeln, and potato pancakes that you see at a lot of the other markets. We decided on what we thought would be an authentic snack - some seasoned grilled meat on a skewer. I have no idea what kind of meat it was, but the Germans love pork so that would be my first guess. We also decided to get some roasted chesnuts since neither Jim nor I have ever had chesnuts. After popping a whole chesnut in his mouth, Jim learned that you have to unshell the chesnut first.

Unfortunately the market started closing up pretty soon after we arrived so our visit was cut premeturely short.