Sunday, November 24, 2013

Back at the Cologne Christmas Market

Tomorrow it's that time of year again. The Cologne Weinachtsmarkt (Christmas Market) opens up in full swing for new visitors. It made me feel nostalgic of our time spent there last Christmas, and I went back into my archives to search for unreleased images, and indeed I found some images that I hadn't posted previously. In honor of this festive tradition, let me take you back to this magical place...

click on the images for a bigger view

This is the central place of the market, filled with immense glow from the lights, decorations and the big tree in the middle. But let's back up a moment.


Of course, the Weihnachtsmarkt is best visited by night, but there are sights to be seen during the day. Before arriving to the market, we stopped by the Cologne Cathedral.



With about four million visitors a year, the Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market is one of the most popular Christmas markets in Germany. Apart from the selected artisans, culinary highlights and a free entertainment program of more than 100 Christmas events, the market is especially impressive thanks to its unique lighting concept.



Cologne has seven Christmas Markets during this time of year. Every market has his name and entrance gate. I loved discovering the various locations, spread out over the city, and also seeing what each had to offer.



After walking around the city for the day, we decided to go back to the main market at night. It was unlike anything I had ever seen. I used to live in Germany as a kid, and I visited this place when I was 7 or 8, and I being back was like a dream. There are a lot of people here at night, but it was never crowded or loud. In fact, the calm spirit of the season took over and transformed every corner into a fairy tale location.



At an impressive 25 metres high, the 80-year-old Norway spruce is highest natural Christmas tree at a Christmas market in this part of Germany. The majestic tree and the unique Starlights tent shine festively with over 70,000 LEDs and power LEDs.


The famous Glühwein (Mulled Wine) kept us happy and warm during the night.


And every corner offered something delicious to eat. From savory dishes (like the Bratwurst), to sweets.





I love the way this tree is lit. The blue light really brings out the red hearts hung all over the tree. A unique way to decorate the city.





Closing time is around 10 at night. You can see the various stalls closed for the night, as we departed back to our apartment, waiting for another day to begin.


I was really glad, that I found previously unreleased images to share with you now, and mark yet another year of this wonderful tradition. If you would like to see more of our Cologne trip I'll list the links to all the posts from the stay, down below.
The Cologne Series includes:

54 comments:

  1. Wow, what a magical place to visit, Mersad, and your photography portrayed it so beautifully!

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  2. Very nice atmosphere, and i like the colors very much.

    wish you a nice sunday my friend.

    Greetings, Joop

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  3. Wieder Super Fotos. Du und die "zwei Hübschen" scheint auch sehr viel unterwegs zu sein. In Köln war ich noch nie. LG

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    1. Naja, in München wird wahrscheinlich auch ausgiebig geschmückt und gefeiert. :)

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  4. the lights are magical... and i love the photo of the hanging sausages.. are you taking your new camera to Germany to see how it takes photos of this gorgeous market?

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    1. Well these images are from last year, so I didn't have my 6D back then. But If I were to visit again, of course the new camera would come with me.

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  5. Wonderful, colorful captures of a delightful looking place, Mersad!! Great holiday spirit and the lights are indeed magical! Hope you have a great week!!

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    1. You too Sylvia. Thanks for visiting.

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  6. Looks really magical, Mersad, and well worth going back to - whether in real life or by returning to the photographs...

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    1. I often find myself looking at images from our stay in Cologne. It has made a big impact on our travels and likes.

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  7. lots of christmas lights and decorations! tis the season!

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  8. What a cool place! My better half would absolutely love this! Very festive!

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    1. I guess the Cologne Christmas Market isn't world famous without no reason. :)

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  9. I'm glad you made the effort to go. It is wonderful to look at but i couldn't stand the crowds.

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    1. The crowds are really manageable. Since there are 7 Christmas Markets in Cologne, the tourists really do spread out.

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  10. What a beautiful way to get into the spirit of the season! Gorgeous images. :)

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  11. It's beautiful! I love the magic of these Christmas markets, and it must hold special memories. Lovely glimpses for the season:)

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    1. You are right. It does hold special memories.

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  12. I like all of the festive lights.

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  13. Erinnert mich auch an meine Kindheit, so bin ich dort geboren und habe viele Jahre den Weihnachtsmarkt besucht. Einfach immer ein Erlebnis, grds. alle Weihnachtsmärkte in Deutschland. Das habe ich immer geliebt und vermisse ich hier schon ein bisschen. Sicherlich gibt es auch den einen oder anderen, aber so wirklich ist das nichts. Da mag ich dann lieber die hiesigen Bräuche.

    Tolle Fotos hast du gemacht, danke dir dafür.

    Schönen Wochenstart und liebe Grüssle

    Nova

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    1. Danke Nova. Ich war als Kind auch dort zu Besuch und der Weihnachtsmarkt ist mir lange in Errinerung geblieben.

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  14. You were quite an accomplished nighttime photographer even before the arrival of the 6D! These are gorgeous.

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    1. Thank you very much. The 6D brought better quality though.

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  15. Mersad, your pictures are so full of life. And as I said before you are a great photographer of night scenes. I didn't try yet a night photography but I am ready to hit the streets when we have Christmas lights.

    I enjoyed so much these amazing pictures!

    A hug from Kaya.

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    1. I can't wait to see those images that you post.

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  16. Mersad, your pictures are so full of life. And as I said before you are a great photographer of night scenes. I didn't try yet a night photography but I am ready to hit the streets when we have Christmas lights.

    I enjoyed so much these amazing pictures!

    A hug from Kaya.

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  17. Hi Mersad. what a lovely market to visit and you got great night shots, not all that easy to do. it looked like great fun. the shot of you makes you look very relaxed.

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    1. Mersad, your pictures are so full of life. Battery Led Picture Light

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    2. We very so happy during our stay, and I think it really shows in the images.

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  18. HA! Hei Mersad, da bin ich nun auch neu bei dir ;-)! Hübsch hier und coole Fotos……..und du glaubst es nicht! Ich bin ja Kölnerin und meine Mutter wohnt schon seit Jahrzehnten 50 m von Weihnachtsmarkt am Neumarkt entfernt. Der Bericht gibt mir deshalb besonders was ;-)! Bericht von zuhause quasi! LG Anne

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    1. Wow. Das finde ich aber toll. Bericht von zuhause, geschrieben über tausende kilometer weit entfernt! :D

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  19. Love the pictures, Mersad, German markets are wonderful. We have them visit the UK at this time of year.

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  20. The market looks like a winter fantasy land! It must be a remarkable sight to see. In some ways it could be overwhelming and sensory overload, but how spectacular!! Wonderful photographs!

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    1. Simply put, it's perfect. It's just an amazing experience.

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  21. A very nice series! I was in Cologne a few weeks ago. I made some street pictures there. I recognize some of the places on your photo's. Nice to see it back! :-)

    All the best from the Netherlands,
    dzjiedzjee.blogspot.com

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    1. I didn't see those on your blog. If you could direct me, I would love to see them.

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  22. Christmas markets are so special. Beautifully shown here Mersad, the cathedral makes a spectacular backdrop in the last shot.

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  23. I'm not in the Christmas mood yet. Maybe in a few days when it's December. ;))

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    1. I'm sure it will sneak up on you soon.

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  24. Oh, I love all the lights! What a magical Christmas place to be with so much going on. Wow! Thanks for letting me come along. ;)

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    1. Thank you for visiting and commenting.

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  25. so tolle bilder mersad.
    gefallen mir sehr gut.
    die lichter sind schon wunderschön und ab jetzt kommt ja auch noch der schnee dazu.
    viele grüße
    dieter

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  26. oh how pretty. It looks like a magical fairy land. I love this time of year.

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  27. Wow! The snow makes it quite chilling but your photos are awesome!

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    1. And it was chilling. Cold nights, but when you roam about you can last easily an hour without getting cold. And that's enough time to see everything in this market.

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  28. Xmas time... beautiful light and shots

    Ciao
    Stefano

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  29. MEINE STADT <3! Die Atmosphäre vor dem Dom ist einfach unschlagbar an Weihnachten! GlG Anne

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