Oh Aachen, what wonderful diversity you present us with every year—to use the terminology of the (pre-)Christmas season. A Christmas market and a Christmas village of the finest quality, intoxicatingly beautiful.
An intoxicating variety, intoxicating backdrops, intoxicating culinary delights. Once I've been there, the "Christmas ensemble" ignites a feeling of cozy, warm childhood memories in me, the feeling of wanting to immerse myself, of wanting to go back again. Imagine a feeling like a cloud of powdered sugar, decorated with shining stars, accompanied by the most beautiful music. Perhaps wonderfully fragrant, carried by lightness.
Katja Esser
Cooking blogger, author of the Dreiländerschmeck cookbook, passionate Öcherin and mom. She knows best what you can do in Aachen. Follow her tips and get to know Aachen from a whole new perspective.
I think that's enough of the fanciful dream journey, because why travel far away - our dreams - when the good things are so close. My personal highlights for you:
Culinary delights
Wintertime is always chestnut time. A warm bag of deliciously fragrant, simple chestnuts in your hand. Soothing. Pure nature. Set apart from all the other delicacies prepared with hundreds of ingredients in thousands of variations. You will find various stalls at Katschhof, Holzgraben, Münsterplatz and in the Christmas village.
If you are a lover of another classic treat from the markets, I recommend the fine, well-known chocolate fruits from "Flaix" bananas, apples, berries, chocolate-coated, colorfully decorated at the "Flaix almond distillery" at the market.
Salty and hearty is the order of the day at Hütte 16 on Holzgraben. The Gerrards butcher's shop on Hartmannstraße serves great home-cooked delicacies such as Aachen sauerbraten goulash, veal currywurst and kale with Mettwurst sausage. Delicious. I just say addictive!
Prefer meatless? In the Christmas village on the Platz der Demokratie, freshly cooked Kässpätzle from a young local supplier awaits you alongside other wonderful delicacies. It's exciting to see how the fresh dough is grated over the board to make spaetzle in boiling water.
Honestly, what is a must for many of us when we visit a Christmas market? Exactly, the mulled wine. My - secret - love is the Oecher Glühwein-Treff at Katschhof. A long-established family business with delicious mulled wine, cocoa, children's punch and other treats with and without alcohol. Surrounded by the most beautiful scenery between the town hall and the cathedral.
Culinary delights - Packaged
I really like to bring something back from markets - especially our Aachen Christmas market. For myself or as a gift. Two things in particular caught my eye as I wandered through the magical landscape of huts: Homemade egg liqueurs from Liebelei, on the side of the cathedral between Münsterplatz and Katschhof, and jams, jellies and chutneys made with love by the Lionsclub Aachen.
Through the eyes of a child
There are two stalls that I simply love because they evoke my fondest childhood memories and memories of visits to the Christmas market with my daughter. Lovingly engraved - also on request - wooden boards, spoons and so on are beaming at me again this year at "Holzbrandartikel " at the market. This family stall has been around for 50 years and I would love to know how many children's eyes have been lit up by a breakfast board at the morning table over the course of half a century.
The "stone experience" at Katschhof is particularly individual. Choose a stone, have it cut in half by an expert on the grinding machine, accompanied by exciting stories from the "stone whisperer", and then the wonderful revelation: you see your stone shine from the inside. An amazing experience. Every year again.
My Aachen to Go
A piece of Aachen to go. I like that. Maybe I can infect you. I think Oecher words like "Oecher Mäddche" or "Och herm" printed on mugs or socks are great! That's what I call a statement and identification at its best. Make sure you take a look at these pieces. Aachen's history for everyday life, as a gift.
Ecologically valuable, sustainable, social - these are the wooden puzzles from Sambamba am Katschhof. I like the intention behind it. Just go ahead, look at the motifs (there's even a Christmas market), grab the puzzle and grasp the idea. It's really great.
Being able to immerse yourself in the world of letters and drawings is also an exhilarating experience. And then to immerse yourself in the history of Aachen. Great. I really like the Aachen comics - also by "Karl der Kleine"! Such a great souvenir for yourself, to give as a gift to young and old.
I'm sure that a little pleasure trip in the footsteps of another person will awaken wonderful impulses of your own. That's exactly what I want to achieve, because the Christmas magic of Aachen has so many great facets. Enjoy them!
