Before I tell you any more about our visit to Trier in Germany, I just want to remind you of how very cold it was when we were there. Having been North of the Arctic Circle twice by that time, I thought I was a tough Little Bear, but that day I wished I’d had more clothes to put on as I thought icicles were about to grow on my eyelashes. As it was, I only had a little red waistcoat and a scarf to match and so I was well pleased when Mum said we’d run from the Porta Nigra to the Christmas Market, even though neither of us is really good at running.
Luckily we got there without tripping up or falling over and the first thing we did then was make our way to one of the stalls that were selling glasses of mulled wine– called Gluhwein in German – and order one for Mum.
Now, if I’m honest, I know she doesn’t really like red wine (which mulled wine is made from), but she said that at that moment she was so cold she could have hugged a red-hot cinder – and anyway some of the taste of the wine was hidden with cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, oranges, sugar and other nice things and it was so good that she had to have a second glassful.
Then, because she could see that I was still shivering, she found a clean hankie in her bag and wrapped that around me, then she let me climb into her coat pocket where it was a lot warmer and I could still look out and see everything that was going on. And, even better, she then put her hand in that pocket and, as it was still lovely and warm from holding the glass of Gluhwein, it was as good as having a hot-water bottle to snuggle up to!
Soon I was really cosy and ready to enjoy going round the Christmas Market which has been held from late November through to December 23rdevery year since 1983 in the main market square in Trier.
The market square itself dates back to medieval times. It has a market cross dating from 958 AD…
…and is overlooked by Trier Cathedral which is dedicated to St Peter.
With its origins in the 4th century AD, it is the oldest church in Germany and is said to be built on the site of a palace belonging to St Helena. She was the mother of Constantine, the Roman Emperor who converted to Christianity in 312 AD.
The central nave still contains the original Roman bricks, but over the centuries the rest of the cathedral has been damaged, rebuilt or extended many times. It has also accumulated many relics, including the Seamless Robe, said to have been worn by Jesus shortly before his crucifixion…
…the skull of St Helena…
…a Holy Nail, said to have come from the Cross of Jesus…
…and the Egbert Shrine, a portable altar said to have contained the sole of a sandal worn by St Andrew…
But, although it all sounded very interesting, me and Mum didn’t have time to go there that day as we wanted to have a good look round the Christmas Market before it was time to go back to the coach.
And what a delight it was! There were just short of a hundred little shops, all set up in identical wooden booths, that looked a bit like small chalets. They were brightly lit and all trimmed up for the Christmas season – and the variety of goods they had on sale was amazing.
Our favourites were those selling traditional Christmas tree baubles, made of glass and in all shapes, sizes and colours…
We also liked the Advent wreaths and the pots of flowering plants…
There were also booths selling wooden toys…
…leather handbags and belts…
…silver rings and necklaces with pretty, semi-precious stones…
…silk scarves…
…and candles…
There were also food stalls, selling cheese and sausages…
…honey and preserves…
And, best of all, there were confectionary booths selling Stollen and decorated gingerbread hearts in many different sizes…
I was enjoying it so much that I could have stayed there all day, but all too soon it was time to leave. We had other places to visit and things to do before we went back to Metz. I think I’ve written enough for today, however, so I’ll tell you about those in my next post. Until then, take care and stay safe – and look out for more tales from me soon!
Follow my next blog: 252. MY MUM THE STORY-TELLER – PART ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-NINE
30/03/2023
Wilf the bear-faced blogger 