Hattingen Christmas Market
On a lovely sunny if rather cool day at the end of November a group of BWC members joined a large coach party travelling to the Hattingen Christmas Market. For those of us who had not been there before it was an exciting prospect. The coach travelled from Düsseldorf but other members joined us in Hattingen from other locations.
We were given a warm welcome on arrival by Jennifer who lives and works in Hattingen. She led us to the Kirchplatz in the middle of the Altstadt where we met up with the rest of our group and Lars Friedrich who was to be our guide.
On the way we saw the Altes Rathaus which was built in 1576 but which is now used a cultural centre. From December 1st up until the 24th the building is decked out as an Advent Calendar and every day at 17:00Mrs. Holle opens a different window, tells stories and as she shakes her feather bed pillow over the Untermarktreleases snow and gold coins.
We also passed the Bügeleisenhaus, or Iron House (built in 1611), so called because of its remarkable shape. Today it is the city museum.
Eventually we arrived at the Kirchplatz where we met our guide Lars Friedrich. The tour began with a look at a row of beautifully restored half-timbered houses and tomb stones near the church. There were a lot of market stalls selling a variety of Christmas trinkets nearby. We took a good look at the leaning tower of St. George’s Church. Its inclination is designed to protect the nave in the event of fire. If the spire fell it would fall away from the nave and so not damage it. Inside the church we were shown the organ and the ceiling depicting a starry sky. Around the walls were stained glass windows depicting various biblical characters and events. Martin Luther and our very own St. George are represented as well as Noah’s Ark and the Expulsion from Paradise. After our tour some of us sipped Glühwein at one of the market stalls before seeking out a café for something to eat.
Descending a small staircase near St. George’s Church we found ourselves in the Malerwinkel with its picturesque cafés. Here we were served Kartoffelwaffeln with various toppings in the lovely Café Adele and opposite the Café was a lovely ‘pub‘ but time did not permit of a visit. Time only to visit a shop or two before we returned to our bus for the journey back to Düsseldorf. It was a very enjoyable visit and I hope for a return visit to Hattingen some time soon.
A very big thank you to Margaret and Jennifer for arranging this thoroughly enjoyable trip for us.