It is the weekend of the 3rd Advent and we have heard that this weekend is a very special date in the city of Bernburg. Namely, this weekend Santa Claus arrives in Bernburg and opens the monastery Christmas.
It is shortly before 1 p.m. and visitors and residents of Bernburg are on their way to the market bridge that connects the valley town across the Saale River with the mountain town. People stop at the bank and the bridge and everyone looks eagerly at the big lock. Since we do not know what is happening, we just stand by and wait with…
Christmas music plays and when “Santa Claus is coming to town” sounds, the children around me become restless. Everyone looks towards the lock – yes, and then the mighty lock gate slowly lifts …
Little by little small boats drive out and on I can discover the most different passengers.
On a boat there is a group of Asians with a dragon, then I see Santa Claus, Father Frost, dwarfs and elves and monks. Everyone is waving and there is an exuberant atmosphere. The children next to me are totally excited and the mood infects us.
While the boats are docked on the banks of the Saale and everyone gets off, we make our way toward the former monastery of the Marienknechte. Today the Anhalt University of Applied Sciences has rooms here and students organize the monastery Christmas every year.
We do not get far. On the road we discover old tractors, some with trailers. All decorated for Christmas, they are waiting for Santa Claus to bring them to the monastery Christmas. I spot a donkey or reindeer donkey – isn’t he cute?!
A short time later, the small parade makes its way to the monastery. Sweets are even thrown from one float – the children’s eyes around me light up.
Monastery Christmas in Bernburg
The monastery grounds are festively decorated. First we pass through an area full of stalls with food and drink. All the stalls are well attended and we decide on mulled wine and ostrich bratwurst.
After that we go into the building and here there is one handicraft stand next to the next. The vendors come, as far as we can discover, from the region. And without buying a small gift, we also can not leave the Christmas market.
In addition to the sales booths, the Christmas market in Bernburg also features a colorful supporting program. Children’s groups perform, there are plays for children in a fairy tale room and music groups play in the monastery chapel.
Address:
Am Kloster
Opening hours:
Important! The Klosterweihnacht in Bernburg takes place only on the weekend of the 3. Advent!
Christmas market in Bernburg
There is, of course, in addition to the monastery Christmas also the Bernburger Heele Christ market. This opens shortly before the 1st Advent with the entry of the Bernburger Knecht Ruprechts and remains open until shortly before Christmas Eve.
The Christmas market in Bernburg is located on Karlsplatz. Visitors will find showmen, rides for children, stalls and for me the most unusual stand of all. At this food stand you can’t buy the traditional bratwurst. Here you buy rolls with liver or a liver pan. And believe it or not, the queue was the longest at the Christmas market. I’m a liver fan, but unfortunately get to eat it far too rarely. So it was queue and practice patience. It was definitely worth it – it was one of the best livers I’ve eaten so far.
Address:
Karlsplatz
Opening hours:
from weekend 1.Advent – shortly before Christmas Eve Sunday – Thursday: 11-20 o’clock Friday + Saturday: 11-21 clock
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