Christmas - Austria / II. Republic of Austria 2004 - 55 Euro Cent

The Christmas stamp of the year 2004 shows the Salzburg Christmas market in the old town of Salzburg after a pen and ink drawing by Karl Neuhofer in 1987. It is the view from the middle Domgitter on the Christmas market with the Franciscan church in the background. This market has a very long history, already in 1491 a "Tandlmarkt" was mentioned. In the 17th century There was already the first proper Vorweihnachtsmarkt, the "Nikolaimarkt", where dolls, sweets and all sorts of stuff were offered. This market started 14 days before Nikolai and ended 14 days later. The duration of the market became a matter of dispute with time, so it was limited to 14 days in 1849. Only in 1903 the duration of the market was redefined by the city: from 11.11. until 24.12. every year, the business could only be done by Salzburgers. The Salzburger Christkindlmarkt was the first on which women were expressly allowed to run a stall, and it was they who kept the market alive until its closure in 1932. In 1972, the traditional market on private initiative was finally resumed and so he finds now every year from 20.11. until 24.12. at the cathedral and Residenzplatz in front of one of the most beautiful scenery in the world, the Mozart city of Salzburg. The unique flair of the Christmas market attracts more than 850,000 visitors to wintry Salzburg every year. In addition to all the artisan products, gingerbreads and spices, every year Salzburg choirs, shepherds and nativity plays and of course the tower players enchant the visitor, put him in the spirit of Advent and take him away to a glittering yet contemplative Christmas world.