Europe’s most expensive Christmas tree, sparkling with thousands of lights, represents a powerful contrast to the gloomy euro crisis.
The tree is located at the Frankfurt airport. The Squaire’s atrium makes a fine host for the tree, which is equipped with 8.000 LED lights and 40.000 Swarovski crystals.
The 20-meter (60-foot) tree weighs 6.000 tons and took three weeks to decorate. This Christmas tree jewel cost euro 2.5 million.
In comparison, the Frankfurt Christmas market has the tallest tree. Its height of 28 meters almost matches the Römer, Frankfurt’s Rathaus (city hall)
Most Christmas markets start on the First Advent, 27 November 2011.
The big town markets run for four weeks all the way up to Christmas Eve, whereas the small towns usually have it for a few days only (Thu – Sun) only. Our local town of Oberursel/Taunus has its market running from 24 – 27 November 2011.
The snow we had for the past few days has mostly melted by now. But what little we had was perfect for our four-day Christmas market (which ends this evening).
Here are a few photos I took two days ago.
Marktplatz Oberursel Christmas 2010
Oberursel Christmas Market
Hugs at the Marktplatz Oberursel
Snow-covered bikes in front of a pub
This was one of the better Christmas markets as we had snow instead of rain!
In 2009, the city of Oberursel set up a temporary ice skating rink for the first time. It must have been a success, as this is being repeated this year. It really compliments the city’s otherwise unused open area during the winter season. Oberursel on Ice is located right at the Epinayplatz.
It is good for the locals as they no longer have to take their children to Bad Homburg or Frankfurt to have some winter skating fun. The rink is adding a nice attraction to the city, but only for three weeks (20 Nov 2010 to 06 Dec 2010). Skate rental available.
Today is also the start of our four-day Christmas market. With the current low temperature of 2° C (36 F) or – 1°C incl. the wind chill factor, the setting is perfect. One of my Facebook friends reported snow from the Feldberg mountain (Taunus) yesterday evening.
Our four-day Christmas market in Oberursel will run from Thursday to Sunday (25 Nov – 28 Nov).
The current temperature of only 4°C will surely be a good match for all the mulled wine drinkers. There is also light snow in the forecast for this week as the temperature keeps dropping. Sounds promising!
Dates and times of the Weihnachtsmarkt:
25.11. – 25.11.2010 von 16:00 bis 21:00 Uhr
26.11. – 26.11.2010 von 14:00 bis 22:00 Uhr
27.11. – 27.11.2010 von 12:00 bis 22:00 Uhr
28.11. – 28.11.2010 von 12:00 bis 21:00 Uhr
The market has about 80 vendors ready to sell their merchandise, including food and beverages.
Erzgebirge Christmas ornaments
For more on Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains) crafts, visit AllThingsGerman.
