At Christmas time, the small town of Ansbach in Franconia is transformed into a cosy, Christmassy place. Stroll through the Christmas market in Ansbach, admire the artisan nativity scene and experience a Christmas concert – this is how the festive season can begin.
Christmas market in Ansbach
The Christmas market in Ansbach is held every year from the end of November until 23 December around the town hall and next to the churches of St Gumbertus and St Johannis.
A small and really cosy Christmas market that attracts visitors of all ages. As you stroll past the wooden stalls, there are plenty of handicrafts to discover. If you can’t find what you’re looking for here, you should simply pop into the town hall, where you’ll find a few more stalls with handmade products.
I particularly like the large Christmas pyramid. It is illuminated and turns slowly. People gather around the pyramid to drink mulled wine or punch, eat a bratwurst and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
Opening hours Christmas market
30.11 – 23.12. 2023
Sunday – Thursday: 11am – 8pm
Friday and Saturday: 11am – 9pm
Franconian craftsmen’s cot in Ansbach
Sometimes the ideas of individuals can develop into something really big, as can clearly be seen with the Franconian craftsmen’s cot scene. It can only be seen free of charge in the Margrave Museum during Advent and Christmas (and for a little longer).
One day, the former head of the Rothenburg-Dinkelsbühl vocational school came up with the idea of building a cot for the patients of the Ansbach district hospital. However, it was not to be the “usual” nativity scene that you see everywhere. This cot was to be located in Franconia.
In 1987, pupils and teachers finally began to realise it. Over the years, they gradually created a Franconian village as it looked around 1900 on a scale of 1:10. Each of these buildings really exists or existed. Based on measurements and sketches, the pupils built them true to the original. Dolls of the correct size were added. Each of these dolls has been lovingly furnished with self-made clothes and tools to match the profession. A great deal of attention has been paid to detail, whether it’s the miniature tools, the miniature newspaper or the miniature cat, everything fits together.
I have to admit that I really wasn’t expecting a nativity scene like this. The houses are really superbly recreated and I didn’t really know where to look first. There are so many lovingly crafted details that you could stand there for hours and still discover new scenes. If you look closely, you will also discover scenes that are reminiscent of the Christmas story.
Address:
Markgrafenmuseum
Current exhibition:
30 November until 15 February 2024
Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am – 5 pm
Entrance fee:
free
How about a festive Christmas concert?
The Gumbertuskirche doesn’t just host events at Christmas time. During my visit to the town, I was lucky enough to be able to listen to a pre-Christmas a cappella concert by the Winsbach Boys’ Choir.
The choir is one of the best international boys’ choirs. For over 75 years, talented boys have been coming to a boarding school in Winsbach, Franconia, to sing in the choir. Musically, the focus is on sacred music.
They perform pieces from different eras at around 50 concerts a year. At their concert in Ansbach, the focus was on Christmas pieces, some of which came from all over the world.
I really enjoyed attending the concert. The boys and young men created a wonderful atmosphere with their voices and put me in a pre-Christmas mood.
The Winsbach Boys’ Choir has always given a concert in Ansbach in recent years. There will certainly be opportunities to hear Christmas concerts in the Gumbertuskirche in the future.
It is not only possible to listen to the Winsbach Boys’ Choir in the Gumbertuskirche. On the Advent weekends there is a varied programme to listen to.
Here is an impression of a concert by the Winsbach choir in the Gumbertuskirche:
Tip:
If you would like to see and hear more about Ansbach, you also have the opportunity to take part in a guided tour of the city with the theme “Ansbach in a blaze of light”. This takes place on a few dates and can be booked online .
The visit to Ansbach took place as part of a press trip with Franken Tourismus, the city Ansbach and noble kommunikation .
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