Years active 1570–present | ||
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Dates 24 November–24 December | ||
Christkindelsmärik is a Christmas market (French: Marché de Noël) held annually in Strasbourg, France, near Strasbourg Cathedral. It draws in approximately 2 million visitors each year and since the arrival of TGV service in Strasbourg in 2007, the number of visitors has been on the rise. Hotels are booked a year in advance and some receive between 15-17% of their yearly income thanks to the Christkindelsmarik's visitors. It is considered one of the most famous Christmas markets throughout Europe. It is estimated that the city benefits of a 16 million Euros profit from this 38-day-long tradition. It is mostly famous for its fragrance of warm wine and spices which travels throughout the cold, winter streets.
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History
Strasbourg has been holding Christkindelsmärik around its cathedral since 1570, making it one of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe. The name "Christkindelsmärik" is alsatian origin. A low Alemannic German dialect which was the mainly spoken language in the Alsace until the 20th century. In many parts of south Germany and Austria christmas markets (German: Weihnachtsmärkte) are also called Christkind(e)l(s)markt (the spelling depends on the local dialect).
The market takes place annually, from 29 November to 31 December. It mainly takes place on Place Kléber, Place Broglie, Place du Marché aux cochons de lait and around the cathedral.
Planned bomb attack
The Strasbourg Cathedral bombing plot was an al-Qaeda plan to bomb the Christmas market at the foot of the cathedral during the Christmas celebrations of 2000.
The tree
The Christkindelsmärik's Christmas tree, on Place Kléber, is traditionally of imposing height. Topping at 32.5 m (107 ft), the 2010 tree dwarfed much of its surroundings. The trees of the following years were only slightly less conspicuous: 30 m (98 ft) in 2011, 31 m (102 ft) in 2013, 30 m (98 ft) in 2015, etc.