The Kölner Hafen-Weihnachtsmarkt (Cologne Harbour Christmas Market) has a maritime theme:
Pirate ship at the Cologne Harbour Christmas Market
The Cologne Harbour Christmas Market (Kölner Hafen-Weihnachtsmarkt) is one of the many Christmas markets in this historic Rhine River town. As the name implies, this Christmas market is set on the banks of the Rhine and has a maritime theme.
Maritime Christmas Market
The Cologne Harbour Christmas Market is next to Cologne’s Schokoladenmuseum. It is a bit of a walk from the historical centre, but if you don’t fancy walking, the Christmas market train drops passengers off at four of the Cologne Christmas markets. The 70-odd market stalls are set up with a maritime theme and the promise of seafood brings us out here.
Fighting a Pirate at the Harbour Christmas Market
Christmas markets are not just about eating bratwurst and drinking glühwein. Sometimes you have interesting encounters. A surprise meeting here is coming across a pirate who challenges Tony to a fencing duel. Not knowing what he is up for, Tony first consults a hardy ship’s captain sitting nearby. After a moment’s consideration, he tells Tony to accept the challenge.
Consulting one of the sea captains at the Cologne Harbour Christmas Market
Tony has not had any fencing lessons and naturally, I’m a bit worried. Also, the sword does not have a protected tip.
Sword fencing at the Cologne Harbour Christmas Market
Not one to walk away from a challenge, Tony takes on the pirate and he surprises me with his rather nice en-garde pose. He probably would have done better without his camera hanging off his side…
On guard – fighting a pirate at the Cologne Harbour Christmas Market
The two combatants have a real go at each other. I was quite worried at first until I realised they were hamming it up.
Fighting a pirate at the Cologne Harbour Christmas Market
Luckily no one is hurt and they both make up in the end. As it turns out, our pirate is actually Tamino der Gaukler, a travelling entertainer (with his own website: http://tamino-der-gaukler.de)
Tony and his pirate friend
On the whole, the Cologne Harbour Christmas Market is worthwhile visiting as it has a different feel to the other Cologne Christmas markets. We did find our seafood there and lots of other food stalls. And if you are feeling cold, you can always duck into the Schokoladenmuseum, one of the ten most visited museums in Cologne.
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