In 1864, almost 80 year-old Christoph von Schmid, author of the well-known Christmas carol “Ihr Kinderlein kommet” (Come Little Children), wrote about his childhood in the small Frankish-Swabian Reichsstadt. On Christmas Eve, the children of the family were waiting in their rooms, looking forward to what Santa Claus might bring them.

According to an old custom in Dinkelsbühl, Christoph von Schmid’s father put the large Christmas tree in a corner nearby the window so that the tree top bent down because of the low ceiling. On the tree there were red apples, silver- and gold-plated nuts or painted cherries and prunes made of tone, and “Weihnachtsspringerle” (anise-flavoured cookies). Everywhere between the branches one could find round, oval or star-like tiny mirrors. The whole room was filled with the warm light of the chandelier with its tallow candles that hung directly in front of the Christmas tree.

Finally, when Santa Claus had left, the children looked delightedly and in amazement at the Christmas presents on the table: delicious dates and figs, candy and marzipan, a little wooden horse and other toys, clothes and, of course, nicely bound books.

The former Reichsstadt Dinkelsbühl is one of the fortunate places that survived the unsteady German history almost without damage. You may experience the special Christmas atmosphere in the historical city centre which can bear comparison with other famous European cities. Allow us to lead you to a city with streets, alleys and little corners almost untouched since the time when Christoph von Schmid lived.