Kripperlmarkt (Manger Market)

As the third largest city in Germany, Munich is in a class by itself.  One of the world's best and most visitor-friendly technical museums is here, a huge park for nude (and clothed) sunbathing as well as beer drinking and eating. Great restaurants abound, the best beer halls in the world are present in Munich along with some of the greatest Art Museums anywhere.  The Residenz of the Wittelsbach Dynasty as well as the Schatzkammer (Treasury - knock your socks off jewels and gold) are in the Altstadt (old city) and the Nymphenburg Palace (Wittelsbach summer palace) is a short tram ride into the suburbs.  Munich lacks nothing.  It is a city to be "experienced."

Munich has its share of Christmas Markets (Christkindlmarkts) as well.  In 2008, there were 85 Christmas Markets in all sizes and themes.  From traditional to Bohemian, large snd small, the Christmas Markets are phenominal.  The Manger Market is one of the oldest of the traditional major markets.  It is held at Marienplatz and draws huge crowds. It fills the square in front of the New City Hall (Neues Rathaus) and overflows into two parallel streets all the way to Staccus (Karlsplatz).  The name (Kripperlmarkt) comes from the numerous Nativity scenes that can be found there. It is easy to get to with the U-Bahn and S-Bahn, the entire square is filled with good restaurants and wonderful beer halls (some of which have non-smoking sections - a welcome recent addition).

The sights and aromas of the marketplace are at once inviting and exciting.  The vendor stalls have something for everyone, whether it is roast bratwurst, Glühwein (hot spiced wine), Lebkuchen (German gingerbread, and wonderful), as well as freshly roasted nuts of all kinds, and many other kinds of foodstuffs.  This article cannot provide the aromas, but it can provide the sights.  Please come along.