11 Reasons Why Germany's Ore Mountains Sparkle During Christmas

No matter how hard you search, it just doesn’t get more Christmassy than in Germany‘s Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge). During this time, the picture-postcard mountain towns are blanketed in snow and bathed in twinkling lights, creating a spectacle that is beyond splendid. Other than hosting some of the most magical Christmas markets in the country, the natives of this region practice Christmas rituals and traditions that have been lovingly preserved for generations. Let’s go on a fascinating journey together to discover what makes Christmas so special and unique in the Ore Mountains – often called the Home of Christmas.

Wood carvings

The Ore Mountain region, especially Seiffen, is the heart of wooden toy carving and the creation of irresistible Christmas decorations. During Christmas time, the quaint towns and houses in the Ore Mountains are decorated with handmade wooden pyramids, candle arches, nutcrackers, miner figures, music boxes, and dolls, each exhibiting admirable artistry. As far as souvenirs go, you can’t do better than one of these beautiful specimens from a Christmas market or a workshop.

1. Smoking Man

The Smoking Man (or Räuchermann) has been around since 1850 and is a much loved Christmas decoration of the Ore Mountains. These are little wooden figurines containing incense in several fragrances, including pine, cinnamon, honey, or frankincense. When lit, fragrant smoke comes out of the mouth of the figurines. These adorable Smoking Men are modeled after miners, soldiers, craftsmen, or foresters of the region. If you wish to see the largest Räuchermann in the world, head to the Miniaturenpark Kleinwelka in Bautzen.

Santa incense holder made in Ore Mountains | © Bernd Reuschenberg / Wikimedia Commons

The Ore Mountain region was a mining region for centuries, until a mining crisis pushed the inhabitants toward wooden toy making. However, still today, each window, street, and square in the mountain towns is brilliantly lit up in honor of the miners who spent most of their lives in the dark bowels of the earth. The most common decorations include Christmas pyramids, candle arches, and white candles. Many of these displays are miner-themed.

Christmas candle arches in Ore Mountains

2. Christmas Festival at Scharfenstein Castle

Market

If the ancient Scharfenstein Castle is romantic at other times of the year, it transforms into a fairy land during Christmas. This castle, steeped in myths and mystery, hosts the beautiful Christmas market Scharfensteiner Adventszauber (Scharfenstein Advent Magic). Still today, this festival is celebrated the same way as it was in 1900, with magicians, gnomes, puppeteers, twinkling lights, delicious food, and everything that spells Christmas.

3. Lichtelfest in Schneeberg

Market, Market

Every year, on the second Advent weekend, the mountain town of Schneeberg decks up for Lichtelfest – a gorgeous celebration of the region’s mining tradition and traditional folk art. The festival grounds dazzle with light in remembrance of the miners who never got a chance to see the sun, especially during winter. Other than Christmas goodies and yummy food, expect to find an amazing array of wood carvings, pyramids, and traditional decorations. The Schneeberg Lichtelfest is often said to be the most magical Christmas festival in the entire Ore Mountain region.

Fürstenpl. 5, Schneeberg, Germany

Schneeberg Christmas market | © SchiDD / Wikimedia Commons

The Mettenschicht

The Mettenschicht is a 17th-century custom from the mining days. It refers to the last shift that the miners worked before Christmas, which used to end earlier than usual, and was followed by music and a traditional meal. Like all Ore Mountain region traditions, this ritual has also been preserved for centuries and honored even today, with meals, folk festivals, and music.

Miners’ parades

The miners’ parades (Bergparaden) are another expression of the natives’ pride for their mining history. Back in the mining days, the miners used to dress up in their traditional uniforms, carry their tools, and parade in honor of visiting noblemen with the accompaniment of music. Today, several such parades are held across the Ore Mountain towns in honor of their roots. Hundreds of thousands of people line the sidewalks to watch these processions.

4. Snow-covered Fichtelberg

If your heart craves for a white Christmas away from the crowds and buzz, head to Fichtelberg. It offers panoramic vistas of snow-covered terrain as far as the eyes can see, adrenaline-pumping winter sports, and lots of solitude. Active travelers can indulge in skiing, snowshoeing, tobogganing, kiting, tubing, and hiking. You can even try cross-country skiing and explore the Czech side of the Ore Mountain ranges.

Fichtelberg, Oberwiesenthal, Germany

Fichtelberg | © Oimheidi / Pixabay

Neunerlei

On Christmas Eve, natives dig into a special feast called Neunerlei. This meal consists of nine courses, with a symbolic meaning attached to each. Neunerlei traditionally includes lentils or peas, sausages, fish and apple salad, rose hip soup, roasted pork, bread with salt, potato salad, prunes and a mash of bread, milk and nuts. These courses symbolize memories, achievements, and hopes and are believed to bring good luck in the coming year. Neunerlei is usually served in a plate with nine compartments.

Hutzenohmd

Traditionally, people in the Ore Mountains used to get together during Christmas to eat, play music, carve wood, and make lace. The main purpose of these gatherings (Hutzenohmd) was to save heating and light. Even today, the natives of this region get together with loved ones to keep the tradition alive.

Santa Claus workshops

The most beloved part of the gorgeous Annaberg Christmas Market is the Santa Claus Workshop. Here, you can catch the elves busy at work, and even have a gnome show you around. You can admire the beautiful traditional handcrafted items on display here or get a favorite Christmas item repaired by an expert. That’s not all – visitors are welcome to build little presents of their own or bake a few biscuits.

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