Germany: Castles, Celebrations, and the Church

There is no land that I can think of with as many old castles as Germany. When I did a search for pictures depicting the country, I was bombarded with photos of castles. Immediately, I wondered what these castles spoke about Germany and the German people. And so, this article starts with a look at German castles.

Castles

Castles and ruins harken back to a time in Germany’s history when the country was divided into small states ruled by kings, dukes, and earls. These smaller states were part of The Holy Roman Empire and although the rulers had influence over their regions, they governed with restricted powers. Ultimate power remained in the hands of the Christian Empire. Power battles were frequent, as each ruler tried to exert their influence over more territories. As a show of their powers, rulers made enormous castles, crafted with detail and every symptom of affluence. These residential structures were so ostentatious that even by present-day standards, they are likely to strike onlookers with their pomp and glory. The massive buildings could easily give the impression that they were constructed in a time of great freedom, plenty, and happiness. Yet, German fairytales written around these same times provide other perspectives of these castles. For example, Rapunzel, who was locked up in one of these enormous buildings, was an unhappy prisoner in a palace. Meanwhile, Snow-white was kicked out of her castle by an evil stepmother and forced to live with dwarfs. In Rumpelstilzchen, a poor farm girl who ended up as queen in a castle developed amnesia and neglected to reward the person who helped her to get to the castle. And then, there are Hansel and Gretel who seemed not to have heard about the castles at all. They were abandoned in the dark forests, where hunger and exhaustion drove them to eat a witch’s house that was made of cookies. The castles by themselves do not give us a full picture. However, they provide us with a sturdy launchpad as their existence points to the political, cultural, and social constructs of that time. Their mention in fairytales and other cultural devices give insight into the various power struggles, the social divides, and the fraction between the church and the state.

Church

As mentioned before, great power resided in the castles. But greater power rested with the Empire. Even today, the empire’s eternal influence can be seen throughout the land. Of note is the fact that almost all of Germany’s public holidays and celebrations owe their origins to the Holy Roman Empire. Here is a list of Germany’s Holidays. Take a close look. Nearly ninety percent of these observances are based in Christianity.

List of German Holidays and Celebrations. (Note that these celebrations and holidays are region-specific.)

- New Year’s Day (Neujahr)

- Three Kings Day (Heilige Drei Könige) (Based on the Bible story of the Three Wise Men)

- Carnival (Karneval/Fasching/Fastnacht) (Fasting night. The Day before Ash Wednesday)

- Good Friday (Karfreitag)

- Easter Monday (Ostermontag)

- Labour Day (Tag der Arbeit)

- Mother’s Day (Muttertag)

- Ascension Day (Christi Himmelfahrt) (Celebrates the day Jesus ascended into heaven)

- Whit Monday (Pfingstmontag) (The Monday following Pentecost Sunday)

- Corpus Christi (Fronleichnam) (60 days after Easter Monday, honors the body of Christ through communion)

- Assumption Day (Mariä Himmelfahrt)

- Oktoberfest

- German Unity Day

- Day of Reformation (Reformationstag)

- All Saints’ Day (Allerheiligen)

- Christmas Eve (Weihnachten)

- Christmas Day (Weihnachtstag)

- Boxing Day (Zweiter Weihnachtsfeiertag)

Bearing the origins of these observances in mind, on your next trip to Germany, you can relish the thought that as you indulge in these festivities, you are taking part in long-standing traditions that reflect German belief and social structure.

Celebrations: Castle vs Christian Influence

Weihnachtsmarkt

Weihnachtsmarkt is one of those celebrations which began in the Middle Ages and which shows the heavy hand of the Church to the exclusion of the nobility. It is also known as the “Christkindmarkt” (Christ child market). The celebration was intended by the church to be an occasion to welcome the Christ child. Usually, a nativity scene was set up in the center of the market. Food and drinks were shared with relatives and friends and a festive and compassionate atmosphere was created as people prepared their hearts to receive the coming Christ/King.

Today, Weihnachtsmarkt has retained many of the characteristics of the original celebrations. Family and friends gather in the markets to talk, share, and celebrate the various blessings in their lives. A festive atmosphere is created while meals consisting of lebkuchen, gluhwein, pretzels, sauerkraut, sausages, and many other German delights are partaken.

During the Christmas season, Weihnachtsmarkt are set up all over the country. Dresden, Cologne, Stuttgart, and Berlin, have been voted as some of the best Weihnachtsmarkt cities. Munich, Leipzig and other towns also have spectacular markets and if you are in the country around this festive season, you will do yourself good to visit one of these marketplaces.

See my 2019 Weihnachtsmarkt experience in the video below.

Karneval/Fastnacht/Fasching

Although Fastnacht was originally a Christian observance and part of the Church’s Easter traditions, the celebration soon took on a satirical tone. On this day, peasants and commoners, were allowed to criticize the political system and to express the abuse that they suffered at the hands of the rich. The people paraded about the town in costumes similar to those worn by the wealthy. Often, masks of witches were to used to cover the faces of the persons who mockingly wore the costumes. The costume was worn first to conceal the identity of the mocker but also to make a statement that those in pompous clothing and lived in castles were witches, who pawned others to concoct evil and selfish plans. Later, as celebrants walked through the streets they shouted “Allaf” or “Helau”. Both words are understood to be “Calls of Fools” and mock the political leaders for their pompous desires and greed for power. Another feature of this event was that because the celebration occurred at the end of the winter period when food stores were low, the participants would stage mock-fights over food. This day represented the last time during the year for common people to eat a good meal.

Over the years, States that celebrate Karneval/Fasching/Fastnacht carry on the tradition of dressing in pompous costumes and grotesque masks. The words “Alaaf” and “Helau” are still uttered. Candies are thrown into the crowd of onlookers, recalling an era when this celebration marked the day of the last balanced meal that many poor people would eat.

Cologne, Duesseldorf and Mainz are known for the largest and most famous Karneval celebrations. My visit to a small Karneval in Stuttgart was also quite interesting. At the time I had no knowledge of the history of the festivities. Now that I know, I am sure that my next visit will be even more captivating.

Watch the video below for a traditional German Dumpling recipe that my husband and I enjoy year round but especially at Christmas.

Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is one of the few celebrations that does not owe its origin to Germany’s religious system. This festival points primarily to the castle. The original Oktoberfest was done in honor of the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria. For five days, breweries provided the guests with beer. The occasion was so memorable that the following year, the brewers gathered again to showcase the produce of their breweries. Over time, the festival became a day to celebrate the final and best products of each brewers’ barrels.

Today, leather hoses and dirndles are worn by many Oktoberfest participants in honor of the farmers and servers who produced and served at the very first Oktoberfest. Sausages and pretzels are served alongside the beer and these also signify the regular foods eaten by the farmers and masses of old. Munich, Bavaria, the birthplace of this celebration, still attracts the largest Oktoberfest crowds. However, engaging in smaller Oktoberfest festivities is also very rewarding.

Germany from a Different Angle

So, when you get a chance to visit one of Germany’s many castles, look closely at the formidable walls, run your hands over the cut stones, and realize that these buildings tell a story not only of those who they housed but also of those who lived afar on farms and in small villages. They do not only speak of those who were governed and ruled under their roofs but also of those by whom they were governed and ruled. Within each tiny particle and intricate design, volumes of German history and social development remain cemented and on display for our eyes.

Until next time

Venture Out. Keep exploring. Travel Smart and Stay Safe.

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(Some of the photos used in this article do not belong to me.)