St. Gilgen Christmas Market

St. Gilgen Christmas Market

For unique and different Christmas markets in a location where I have not been in the winter time, we decided to head to Austria’s Salzkammergut area. Here, the small villages which nestle on the shores of Lake Wolfgangsee hold traditional markets that are as captivating and atmospheric as Austria’s larger, better-known markets. Each is distinctive: in this market in St Gilgen, the theme is Baroque-style art, in St Wolfgang it is lanterns, while Strobl prides itself on its authentic stalls (complete with original wooden roof tiles) and dozens of Nativity scenes.

Here at the St. Gilgen market, the warm glow of the candles adorning the windows of the square's authentically decorated buildings tells you this market is very special.  The beautiful stalls painted in a Baroque style by the artist Raja Schwahn-Reichmann creates a lovely, magical Christmas atmosphere in this Mozart village on Lake Wolfgangsee.  

St. Gilgen Market Entrance

St. Gilgen Town Hall

St. Gilgen Adventkerzen

The St. Gilgen Adventkerzen are displayed in the windows of the square's buildings.  Melissa and I cannot resist buying one for our homes.  They are beautiful and unique only to this market.  They come in various sizes and configurations, are plastic and have an electric string of lights inside.  I have not seen them for sale anywhere else.  Considering the European plug, I will need to install a short string of my own lights.

The stall facades, painted by Raja Schwahn-Reichmann, have beautiful colorful Advent scenes depicted on them.  The attached, or freestanding figurines, were inspired by 3D Baroque murals and painted ceilings. You could wander around the market several times and admire something different every time.  I have never seen such beautiful market stalls. 

     Stall facades painted by Raja Schwahn-Reichmann

With a mug of gluhwein and tasty treats in hand, we warm up by the open fire pit while we listen to the brass band ensemble play traditional Christmas music.

Very Tasty Spiral Potato Chips

We are now on our way to another market in this area, Strobl.  It's about 15 minutes away.