Ulm, the hometown of Albert Einstein, bathed by the Danube, was the first destination we visited on our recent trip to Germany to see the Ulm Christmas Market.
When I decided to travel to Germany for the fourth time to return to its Christmas markets, it was not easy for me to decide on one in particular since practically all of its towns and cities cannot resist installing bucolic Cristmas Market (each one more beautiful) with exquisite aromas, extraordinary craftsmanship and set to music from choirs and wind orchestras. However, in our case, since we arrived around 6:30 p.m. to Memmingen airport (west Munich) and we were just half an hour away from the well-known Ulmwe were clear that the city whose symbol is a sparrow It would be our first destination. So we quickly got into the car we had reserved to go to the Münsterplatzthe square in which the magical Ulm Christmas Market (before going to our hotel to rest).
The legend of the Ulm sparrow
Legend has it that when the Ulm Cathedral was being built, the builders could not fit a beam that was too long (and too wide) through the gates of the wall. Seeing how a sparrow crossed a narrow space with an elongated straw by turning it longitudinally, the men saw the light and managed to pass the beam without having to tear down part of the wall.
Ulm Cathedral
I still remember my shocked face as soon as I crossed the entrance door to the Ulm Christmas Market and find myself face to face with the imposing Ulm Minsterthe highest cathedral in the world (161’53 m.). The 130 decorated wooden stalls located under the watchful eye of the giant and spectacular church tower create a Christmas atmosphere full of magic, light and color.
The main church of Ulm (Ulmer Münster) is the main Lutheran church of the former Imperial Free City of Ulm. Popularly known as Ulm Cathedral, it is not actually a cathedral as it has never been the seat of a bishop. Its construction in Gothic style began in the 14th century, and was completed in the 19th century.
Ulm Christmas Market
In the stalls of the Ulm Christmas Market You can buy beautiful works of crafts and Christmas decorations such as candles, colored balls and toys, as well as traditional German clothing and food typical of these dates. I really liked this Christmas decorations, of which I show you the following photo.
As occurs in practically all of germany christmas markets y christmas markets in europethe bright little lights of a thousand colors that are installed during Advent, the delicious aroma of sugared almonds, the rich mulled wine (mulled wine with spices) that helps you warm up and the musical chords that are heard while you are immersed in the atmosphere of its narrow streets awaken the most romantic side of Christmas.
It was here, as soon as we arrived at the Ulm Christmas marketin one of its charming little stands, where we prepared to take care of our bodies by tasting the first glühwein and grilled sausage that they make so delicious here. It had been seven years since I had one of those nice cups of mulled wine that Germans like to drink so much at any Christmas market and that I liked so much when I tried it for the first time back in 2004. As for the sausages, I have to I confess that I never try them in Spain, but here they are so tasty that I can’t help but ensalchicharme during the morning, afternoon and night.
Glühwein or mulled wine at the Ulm Christmas market
A glühwein is an alcoholic drink that is traditionally drunk during the Advent period in the german christmas markets and other European countries. To make a glühwein or mulled wine, red wine (the most typical in Germany) or white wine is used, to which cinnamon, cloves, lemon peels and star anise are usually added. To prepare it, heat everything without letting it boil and add sugar to taste. Its price ranges between €3-5 plus a €1-3 deposit for the clay cup in which they offer it to you and which is returned to you if you want to hand over the cup and not take it as a souvenir.
Traveling to the Ulm Christmas market with children
In addition to the multiple events that take place every day in the heart of the Christmas market and that will delight any visitor, this Weihnachtsmarkt is very well thought out for the leisure and enjoyment of the little ones. There are different carousels, highlighting a really beautiful merry-go-round, a “fairy tale” tent and a corral with a manger with live sheep along with life-size figurines that simulate the birth of Jesus. Here was one of those moments of the trip in which I longed to have my two children, ages 5 and 2, with me.
Ulm Christmas Market Hours 2024
From November 25 to December 22, 2024. Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where to sleep in Ulm
We sleep in the al Best Western Atrium Hotelwhich we loved and therefore recommend it.
Conclusion
Ulm, small town of Baden-Wurtembergwas one of the most pleasant surprises of this trip to Germany in December 2015. And not only for having spent some good times among glühweins with our adorable friends Dirk and Sabrina or for ascending the 768 steps of the Ulmer Münster with Gabriela to have of the best views of the city, but because Ulm itself offers an incredible mix of history and modernism that deserve to be known. His City hall (the oldest part of which was erected in 1370), its captivating fishing neighborhood (of narrow streets with brightly colored houses and narrow canals that wind along the Blau River) or its avant-garde Townhouse They are a sample of this.
Ulm is a magical city that contains many treasures. Its Christmas Market is just an excuse to delve into the atmosphere of the German Christmas markets. In a few weeks, once the series of articles on the Christmas markets visited on this trip (Esslingen am Neckar, Nördingen, Rothenburg or der Tauber, Augsburg and Dachau) is finished, I will show you some of the many secrets it hides. I leave you with an image of the fishing neighborhood as a preview of what will come then.
Source: https://naturalezayviajes.com/mercado-de-navidad-ulm-alemania/