Bruges
the North. It has a beautiful historical city centre, rich in medieval architecture. In 2000, it was included as a World Heritage Site of UNESCO.
From the 12th century, Bruges was an important market town, with a focus on fabrics, wool and clothing. The city also boasts the first stock exchange in the world, founded in 1309. The period between the 12th and 15th centuries was the most prosperous time for Bruges, when the city was at the centre of a vast trade network that stretched from the Mediterranean to the North Sea and the Baltic. In the 15th century, due to the gradual silting of the canal that connected it to the sea, the city lost its commercial supremacy to Antwerp.
Today, the historic centre of Bruges is probably the most beautiful of Belgium, with its grand canals and fine medieval architecture comprising palaces, houses of the wealthy merchant class and interesting religious buildings. The Bruges market is a classic event in the city during the weeks leading up to the Christmas celebrations. There is also an ice-skating rink set in the picturesque main square where you can also admire the ice sculptures of the festival on ice.
The Bruges Christmas market runs from 25th November 2016 to 1st January 2017, taking place in the Market Square (Grote Markt) and the Simon Stevinplein Square.
In Grote Markt, with its distinctive illuminated bell tower, you’ll find chalets with Christmas items, gift items, handicrafts, together with many food stalls where you can enjoy a hot chocolate, mulled wine or a refreshing gin.
The Simon Stevinplein market features stalls focusing on clothes and Christmas decorations.
Warsaw
The Polish capital of Warsaw is the country’s largest city, extending along the Vistula river in the plains of Mazovia. It was founded at the end of the 13th century as a castle and residence of the Dukes of Mazovia. By the 15th century, the city had outgrown the medieval walls of the Old City and the area outside the wall became known - somewhat unimaginatively - as New Town. Warsaw became the capital at the end of the sixteenth century, taking over from Krakow.
During the 2nd World War, Warsaw was almost completely destroyed. However, it was lovingly rebuilt by the Polish people and today, boasts beautiful historic areas such as the Old Town (or Stare Miasto). This part of the city is made up of medieval streets which connect to the beautiful Market Square (Rynek Starego Miasta).
Warsaw has two Christmas markets, in the Wola District from 25th November to 23th December and the Barbakan from 30th November to 8th January.
The Wola market takes place along the aleja Solidarnosci, in the centre of the business district, just west of the old town. Through Christmas, the aleja Solidarnosci is home to a small village made up of about thirty wooden chalets, from which the traders offer decorations, gifts, local produce, bagels, cheeses and hot drinks. Public transport to the area is very good.
The Barbikan, a 16th century defensive structure in the Old Town, hosts the second market. It is close to the Rynek Starego Miasta and features in the region of sixty traders, offering pretty much all you would want for your Christmas celebrations.
Title Image Credit: Ben Salter (Image Cropped)