Sankt Wendel Mosaic, Parkstrasse, Stadtpark, Brunnen (Jörg Zägel, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons)
Beating drums, curley-toed shoes, flaming batons twirling in the air and roars of laughter captivated my dad, spouse and I as we stood mesmerized by the Forzerello Duo performing at the Sankt Wendel Christmas market. The self-deprecating humor and imaginative use of props like a scraggly stuffed rat and yellow-rubber chicken had the crowd whistling and clapping for more. When I talk to my dad on the phone about his trip to visit us during Christmastime, this is the market he mentions most.
The Forzerello Duo Fire Performance (Kevin Sullivan)
The Sanktwendel Weinachstmarkt and Mittelaltermarkt is only an hour from Kaiserslautern, and worth the day trip. When we attended, we marveled at a large wooden Christmas pyramid gently spinning in the center of the historic square, then followed our noses straight to the main market where my spouse and I stood in line to try flammlochs, or blazed salmon, cooked on a plank over an open fire.
My dad, not a fan of fish, went his own way and came back with a smoking, cinnamony baumstriezel, or chimney cake he graciously shared with us while we waited. With each bite, steam billowed from our mouths on the icy December day. I felt like a dragon which was fitting for the other section of the market and its medieval theme.
Baumstriezel (chimney cake) (Kevin Sullivan)
We picked at the delicious flammlochs and a second baumstriezel as we made our way around the charming town. Signs pointed us towards the medieval market and we heard the commotion of bells and jesters putting on a show. While the Forzerello Duo performed only in German, the humor translated easily, and we couldn’t help but feed off the excited energy of the crowd. There were other shows and musical performances lined up throughout the day as well.
After the performance ended, we explored more than 150 uniquely-decorated huts selling hand-made items like pottery, beeswax candles, medieval lanterns and so much more. We even found an all-natural dog treat stand, where we bought our two pups marrow bones, rabbit ears and other tasty morsels for their stockings. Other demonstrations for visitors to participate in included archery, candle dipping and soap making.
Despite it being freezing the day we went, the market had plenty of open fireplaces and hot mead to fit the theme and keep us warm. We wanted to try the free toboggan slide, but at that point in the day, the line was long with eagerly waiting kinder.
Instead, our attention was captured by an ethereal, blue, winter fairy gliding around on stilts and blowing bubbles.
Winter Fairy at the Sankt Wendel Medieval Christmas Market (Kevin Sullivan)
Although we only stayed for the afternoon, the market had plenty more to offer such as a forest of holiday-themed miniature displays called “The World of the Imps.” Each night at 7 p.m. a watchman with a halberd, horn and lantern makes his rounds and concludes the market in a memorable way with a surprise.
My spouse and I are excited to return this year and stay for all the market has to offer. The Sankt Wendel market has a limited season. In 2024 the dates are set for Dec. 6 – 15. You can find more information at visitsaarland.co.uk.
