It was the last day of kita today before the Christmas holidays, so in celebration we took the boys down to the Weihnachtsmarkt at RAW Friedrichshain, and discovered a whole medieval market full of fun.
Walking through the grand castle gate at the entrance is a bit like walking through a magic portal. One minute you're in a grubby backstreet Berlin yard, covered in graffiti, the next in a straw-strewn medieval village, it's really quite good. We immediately got involved with the crossbows, shooting rubber ended arrows at a cute castle with various nefarious characters peering out of the windows. At 5 arrows for €2, there's a good chance of knocking one down from about a metre and a half away, and everyone wins a prize.
Next up was the little wooden ferris wheel, hand spun by a big Berliner dressed in black. We paid €3 for a turn, and I've never known a ferris wheel last that long.. backwards, forwards then backwards again. Our eldest loved it. The youngest was too busy checking out the enormous pretzels with chocolate (trust me, don't buy one, regardless of fierce toddler pressure, the chocolate is nasty) leaving mum and dad enough time for, yes, you guessed it, a warming mug of glühwein.
Next up was the little wooden ferris wheel, hand spun by a big Berliner dressed in black. We paid €3 for a turn, and I've never known a ferris wheel last that long.. backwards, forwards then backwards again. Our eldest loved it. The youngest was too busy checking out the enormous pretzels with chocolate (trust me, don't buy one, regardless of fierce toddler pressure, the chocolate is nasty) leaving mum and dad enough time for, yes, you guessed it, a warming mug of glühwein.
By 5.30pm it was getting pretty busy so we joined the queue for the pony rides and contemplated our food options.. the usual favourites, like sausages and chips were on offer, but also Handbrot, a delicious warm bread filled with ham and cheese, Langos which looked like some sort of deep fried batter filled with various things both sweet and savoury, also big hunks of meat, hot salmon, mushroom pancakes and various sugary snacks. I was served my handbrot by an appropriately attired young peasant, in a smock, and we sat to enjoy our feast at one of the long tables provided.
Despite certain little boys' protestations we didn't try the 'hook a duck stall', and resisted the 'make a wish' man, but were in time to catch the 7pm fire-throwing performance, which thankfully took minds off such mean-hearted parenting. Afterwards, we stood for a while warming hands and feet at one of the many fire bowls scattered around the site and enjoyed the convivial atmosphere. It's certainly one of the less commercial markets I've been to, with a limited number of stalls selling trashy trinkets, and the only one selling actual swords and shields, made by the incumbent blacksmith. I'm not sure what the current demand for Knight's helmets and gauntlets is in Berlin, but this stall has you covered.
After skilfully avoiding the axe-throwing and archery corner, the last ride of the night was promised on the awesome wooden swing carousel, again, hand-turned by a large local chap. The boys squealed with delight as he swung them around this way and that, faster than any motor-powered ride I've seen. We paid €3 each, but it was a loooong and excitement-filled ride, much to their delight.
For family focused fun, this is a great Christmas market, the medieval angle really adds to the merriment, plus gives a bit of welcome respite to all those twee wooden chalets and fake snow . It finishes on the 22nd though, so get your gauntlets on and get down there.
RAW-Gelände
Revaler Str. 99, 10245 Berlin
Admission:
From Thursday to Sunday tolls apply: adults pay €2, children aged 6-16 years €1
Mon-Fri: 15-22 hours
Sat, Sun: 12-22 o'clock
RAW-Gelände
Revaler Str. 99, 10245 Berlin
Admission:
From Thursday to Sunday tolls apply: adults pay €2, children aged 6-16 years €1
Mon-Fri: 15-22 hours
Sat, Sun: 12-22 o'clock
