9 Städte in Niedersachsen
The magic of Christmas in a historical setting
The magic of Christmas in a historical setting
In Advent Lower Saxony’s 9 historical cities Braunschweig, Celle, Göttingen, Goslar, Hameln, Hannover, Hildesheim, Lüneburg and Wolfenbüttel transform themselves into enchanting Christmas landscapes
Hannover (9 Cities). Christmas markets have a long tradition in Germany, and the run-up to Christmas cannot be imagined without them. This Christmas the 9 historical cities of Braunschweig, Celle, Göttingen, Goslar, Hameln, Hannover, Hildesheim, Lüneburg and Wolfenbüttel in Lower Saxony in the north of Germany invite you to visit their delightful Christmas markets: enjoy an authentic atmosphere amidst brightly coloured half-timbered buildings, Gothic and Baroque gables and old town squares. Visitors can experience Christmas German-style here with local delicacies, marvellous handcrafted articles and a wide range of events. All 9 of these cities in Lower Saxony offer attractive package trips to their Christmas markets including accommodation and breakfast.
In Braunschweig the Dankwarderode castle glistens and gleams like a diamond during its traditional Christmas market from 24.11.–29.12.2010. The castle square is bathed in a fascinating light by the magical illuminations. Some 130 stands invite visitors to taste, delve and marvel. www.braunschweig.de
Amidst the colourful half-timbered facades the residency town of Celle conjures up all the excitement of Christmas between 25.11.–27.12.2010. Grouped around the 14-metre “pyramid”, market sellers offer a full range of seasonal goods at over 100 wooden booths. Another highlight is the “Joy of Christmas” exhibition, which displays cribs from all over the world at Celle’s Bomann Museum between 26.11.2010 – 06.02.2011. www.weihnachtsmarkt-celle.de
The Christmas market in Göttingen with over 80 stands will put you in the mood for the finest celebration of the year. Between 24.11.–29.12.2010 you can also enjoy yourselves riding on the historical big wheel and marvelling at an Advent calendar that is as tall as a house! For tour groups there are many attractive offers as well as the opportunity of watching crafts such as glassblowing or candle making. www.goettingen-tourismus.de
Guests visiting the former imperial city of Goslar between 24.11.– 29.12.2010 will be imbued with the Christmas spirit wherever they go. In the middle of the town the Christmas forest, which cannot be found anywhere else in Germany, tempts visitors to linger among the 40 illuminated spruce trees, the scent of pine and welcoming little huts selling mulled wine. Right next door is the historic market square, where the lovingly decorated wooden booths of the Christmas market offer a wide range of tasty items as well as high-quality handicrafts. www.weihnachtswald.de
In the Piped Piper’s town of Hameln a delightful feeling of anticipation surrounds the Christmas pyramid 11 metres in height between 24.11.–23.12.2010. Special attractions include the artisans’ village “Lütjen Markt”, Advent boat trips down the river Weser and the glassworks at the historic Pulverturm, where visitors can even blow their own Christmas decorations under supervision. www.hameln.de
Boasting three Christmas markets of its own, Hannover is something that should not be missed between 24.11.-22.12.2010. The Christmas market in the old town around the market church and old town hall is a delightful event full of tradition. A historical Christmas Village including handicraft demonstrations recreates for visitors the atmosphere of life here in the Middle Ages. At the nearby Ballhofplatz a real Finnish Christmas market offers specialities such as “Flammlachs” (grilled fish) and “Glögi” (mulled wine). At the Oskar-Winter-Brunnen 50 illuminated Xmas trees create a magical forest where visitors can make a wish at the fountain. www.hannover.de
Between 24.11.-27.12.2010 the Christmas market in Hildesheim revolves around a tall Christmas pyramid and eight beautifully decorated wooden huts reflecting the half-timbering of the town’s old buildings. The famous houses around the market square including the Kochenhauer Amtshaus, a former butchers’ guild house, create a magical backdrop to the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping. For the very first time Hildesheim’s renowned Pumpernickel will be produced fresh by a special Christmas bakery. www.hildesheim.de
In the ancient Hanseatic salt-trading town of Lüneburg the characteristic gables of the market square, churches and town hall will be lit up with the festive spirit between 24.11.–23.12.2010. Christmas shopping takes place in the city centre amid a mysterious glow of excitement. Special highlights are the historical Christmas market (04./05.12.10) and decorations based on Grimms’ fairy tales. www.lueneburg.de/tourismus
The delightful wooden booths of the Christmas market (23.11. – 23.12.2010) in Wolfenbüttel look just like a little village of houses huddling in its historic market square. One special attraction for visitors is the tour of 21 brightly lit stands illustrating the theme of fairy tales. Additional handicraft markets also take place on the 1st weekend of Advent at the ducal palace and on the other weekends of Advent, in the Kommisse, which was once used as a school. www.weihnachtsmarkt-wolfenbuettel.de
Further information:
For further information and pre-Christmas weekend city breaks for 99 euros per person in Lower Saxony’s “9 Cities” of Braunschweig, Celle, Göttingen, Goslar, Hameln, Hannover, Hildesheim, Lüneburg, Wolfenbüttel, see www.9cities.de.
Contact:
die_9 Städte in Niedersachsen
Frau Petra Sievers
Hannover Marketing & Tourismus GmbH
Prinzenstr. 6
30159 Hannover
Tel.: +49 (0)511-16849746
Fax: +49 (0)511-16849779
e-mail: 9cities@hannover-tourismus.de
www.9cities.de