The Augsburg Christkindlesmarkt began 500 years ago
at city hall square as a gingerbread market and today is among
the oldest and most atmospheric Christmas markets in Germany.


Chronicle 1498

The first mention of a market for gingerbread bakers is found in
city hall records. In the 12th and 13th centuries gingerbread began
to play an important roll at Christmas.


Gingerbread bakers and wax chandlers 1609

Bakers of gingerbread decorated their Christmas products with motifs
of lovely women and proud knights. The molds which they used later
served as molds for wax models. In the beginning of the 17th century
the first nativity scenes came to Augsburg from Italy.


”Doktenwerk” 1748

During the Baroque period it became fashionable to give
children toys of tin or dolls of clay as well as sweets at Christmas.


Christmas market 1814

The existence of the market is known today only because official
decrees, correspondence or public quarrels were recorded by city
clerks. In 1814 a decree was laid down declaring the
Christmas market was to last four days.


Bazaars 1878

In the mid 19th century bazaars held in restaurants suddenly
became popular. Christmas market merchants looked upon these
bazaars as competition.


Time of moving about 1914

Due to the economical highs and lows of the times, as of 1914 the
Christmas market often moved about. City hall square, Jakobsplatz,
Obstmarkt and even the outskirts of the city served as locations
for the market.


Limited supply 1945

In this year a small Christkindlesmarkt was held at Königsplatz
(19 stands) which was well-visited in spite of the limited amount and
selection of goods.


Rathausplatz (city hall square) 1963

Since 1963 the aroma of bratwurst, mulled wine and other delicacies
has filled the air at Christmas in front of the Renaissance city hall.
The angel performance as well as a diverse program of events
attracts thousands of visitors each year.

Other markets appear in the city. At Zeugplatz a lively and colorful
market with tellers of fairytales, puppeteers and craftspeople takes place.

Goldsmiths, silversmiths, furriers and wax chandlers lure you to their
workshops near the Augsburg Puppenkiste.

The Red Cross sponsors a Christmas market at the
“Alte Silberschmiede” (old silversmith’s shop).