Some artists can do amazing things with an egg: cover them in beads or wrap them in lace; cover them with wax and then, with a sharp knife, carefully etch beautiful designs into them; or even write the Lord’s Prayer on them.
You can find these artists and their eggs at the Easter egg markets that, like crocuses, pop up all over Germany at this time of year.
Often they take place in historical settings, such as castles or monasteries, like three of the most popular markets this weekend, at Maulbronn near Stuttgart, Eberbach near Wiesbaden and Seligenstadt, east of Frankfurt.
The eggs make beautiful decorations for Easter, great presents for the folks back home and prized pieces for collectors.
This calendar of Easter egg markets was prepared for the Feb. 22, 2013, edition of Stars and Stripes.
This list of Easter markets was compiled by Stars and Stripes. It’s advisable to check dates and times before going.
AustriaGRAZ: Go to Franziskanerplatz for regional meat, schnapps and cheese; head to the Hauptplatz for crafts and traditional gift items; for international goods, go to the market at the Tummelplatz, March 22-30. SALZBURG: Traditional Easter Market, Open Air Museum, March 23, 10 a.m. VIENNA: Schönbrunn Palace, March 16-April 1. VIENNA: Traditional Viennese Easter Market, Freyung, March 16-April 1.
Czech RepublicPRAGUE: Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, March 16-April 7.
GermanyBabenhausen: March 23, begins 11 a.m., fireworks at 7:45 p.m.; March 24 noon-8 p.m. Bad Arolsen: March 16-17, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Bürgerhalle Bad Arolsen-Helsen, adults 1 euro. Bad Homburg v. d. Höhe: March 23, Ober-Erlenbach, Erlenbachhalle. Bad Orb: March 16-18, city center with bazaar. Coburg: March 21-22, city center. Hamburg: 6-9 p.m. March 21, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. March 22-24, Museum für Völkerkunde, adults 7 euros. Kronberg im Taunus: March 17, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Haus Altkönig. Lampertheim: March 16-17, 2-10 p.m., Altrheinhalle, 2.50 euros. Limburg: March 23, old town center. Lindenfels: March 16-17, Haus des Gastes, adults 2 euros. Mainz-Kastel: March 30-April 1, Middle Ages market. Mannheim: March 23-24, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Baumhainhalle, Luisenpark. Michelstadt: Noon to 6 p.m. March 9, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 10, Odenwaldmuseum and Spielzeugmuseum, adults 3 euros. Neu-Anspach: March 23-24, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Freilichtmuseum Hessenpark. Oppenau: March 16, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Günter-Bimmerle-Halle. Oppenheim: March 16-17, around Marktplatz. Otzberg: March 9-10, 16-17 and 23-24, Museum Veste. Reichelsheim: noon to 6 p.m. March 30, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 31, Ober-Ostern area of town. Ronneburg: March 16-17 and 23-24, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Historical Easter Market, Burg Ronneburg, adults 5 euros; children 5 to 13, 4 euros; children 14 and older, 4.50 euros. Weilburg: March 16-17, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Easter and spring market. Wiesbaden: March 15-17, Easter, crafts and home market, pedestrian zone between Rheinstrasse and Marktstrasse and around Mauritiusplatz.
