Kaiserweihnacht – Contemplation at the Bergisel

Advent without a Christmas market would be like Christmas without a tree: simply unthinkable. Here in Innsbruck we have it good, because we have seven, one for every day of the week, so to speak. One of them opens its doors for the first time this year: the Kaiserweihnacht at the Bergisel. Every weekend from the 23rd of November to the 23rd of December you can visit this market of a different kind! It gives us a feeling of Christmas again, the way it used to be. The special location also contributes to this, somewhat removed from the urban hustle and bustle, floating above the hustle and bustle, so to speak. With a view of the sea of lights of Innsbruck on the one hand, and the mighty backdrop of the Nordkette on the other, under trees and not between houses.

Above the roofs of the city, in a place steeped in history.

The most contemplative time of the year

It is said that Advent is the quietest time of the year, the most contemplative. A statement that is probably no longer valid in our time and is at most an expression of an unfulfillable wish. I like it – at times – this pre-Christmas stress, the many people in the department stores and the hustle and bustle at the Christmas markets. But sometimes I miss the original and quiet. Everyone who feels the same way and needs a little time out from the hustle and bustle of the city should go to the Bergisel. Here you will find a very special kind of Christmas market: the Kaiserweihnacht (Emperor’s Christmas) revisits old traditions and the original. Old craftsmanship is in the foreground. If you are looking for an unusual gift for your loved ones, you are guaranteed to find it here.

At Bergisel the original idea of Christmas is in the foreground.

Quality, customs and craftsmanship

Good advice, warm-hearted people and unusual treasures – you’ll find it all at the Bergisel Christmas Market. Not always cheap, but all the more beautiful for it. If you are looking for a very special gift for a very special person, you are guaranteed to find it here.

At the S’Kastl stall you will find beautiful handicrafts – from a different exhibitor every week.

How about a hat for example? Well… not exactly the most creative gift, some people might think. Hand knitted? Maybe nice, but still not earth-shattering. Well, I have to admit that. But I was taught better. At the stall of Barbara and Bernhard Windisch there are very special products, namely made of alpaca wool – probably one of the noblest and highest quality wool types worldwide. And if you think the wool was flown in from Peru, you’re wrong. No, the Windischs breed their own alpacas on a farm in Styria.

Alpaca wool, is there anything finer or fluffier?

Barbara Windisch breeds her own alpacas in Styria

Gingerbread, egg liqueur and mulled wine

Also from Styria come the liqueurs of the Zweiger family. Since I’m still breastfeeding at the moment, I have to rely on the judgment of others. But according to my mother-in-law, they have the best egg liqueur ever. A few stalls further, I was able to strike again, I treated myself to one of Therese Mölk’s delicious gingerbread men.

According to my mother-in-law, the best liqueurs far and wide.

Nobody has to sit on dry land at the Bergisel. On the contrary, there is especially good mulled wine here. Well, I’m again relying on someone else’s judgement, but in this case that of a true professional. Austria’s elite sommelier Suwi Zlatic tasted the mulled wine cooked according to the purity law (95 % best wine, 5 % water) and refined with cinnamon bark, cloves and mixed spices and was thrilled!

Anyone who orders a mulled wine at the Bergisel can look forward to a quality product.

This is only a small selection of the offers at the market, there is much more to discover. The best thing is to come and see for yourself.

Christmas programme

The Kaiserweihnacht also focuses on tradition and contemplation when it comes to the entertainment programme. For the little visitors there is a Christmas craft workshop in the restaurant 1809. An angel receives the wish lists written or drawn by the children and reliably delivers them to the Christ Child. In the “Prologue of the Christ Child”, the Christ Child shares his thoughts with us punctually at 4:00 pm.

The pretty little angel forwards each letter to the Christ Child.

A real Advent atmosphere is created by contemplative sounds, which are of course also provided. We were allowed to listen to the siblings Hell, who played with the Styrian harmonica and harp. The program changes weekly. It is best to inform yourself online about the various events.

With harp and harmonica the siblings Hell provide the right mood.

I hope I was able to whet your appetite for this unique Christmas market. But as I said, there are six more in Innsbruck. A guide to the different markets can be found here and which Christkindlmarkt type you are, you can easily find out in this blogpost.

Information:

Kaiserweihnacht at the Bergisel
Bergiselweg 2
6020 Innsbruck

Opening hours

Fr – Sun: 10:00 – 20:00 hrs
23. Nov. – 25.
30. Nov. – 2. Dec.
7. Dec. – 9 Dec.
14. Dec. – 16 Dec.
21. Dec. – 23 Dec.

Directions:
Public: tram 1 and 6 go directly to the Bergisel and stop just a few metres from the Kaiserweihnacht. Otherwise you can also take the Sightseer.
By car: The Bergisel is only a few minutes away from Innsbruck city centre and can be reached very easily by car. A spacious parking lot for about 90 cars is located behind the Tirol Panorama Museum.

Photos © Elisabeth Siegl