Hi all

Our family have been to a few Medieval markets since we have been living in Switzerland. The first one we went to was recommended on EF. It took me ages to find more of these events so I thought I would post the Swiss, German and French calendars I have found.

These markets have been a lot of fun, usually with good food, drink and entertainment. We have bought some cool stuff at these markets and none of these things are readily available where I come from in Australia.

http://www.mittelalter-kalender.ch/kalender/spektakel

http://www.marktkalendarium.de/maerkte2009.htm

http://www.adagionline.com/calendrier.asp

cheers

Oooh, so there's *two* on this weekend!

One in Reigoldswil (BL), [ http://www.ruinenfest.ch/ ] and the other

in Germany at Singen [ http://www.spectaculum.de/termine/singen/ ] north of Zurich.

erm forgive my complete ignorance but what is a Medieval market?

I love these !! Thank you.

Craigh, medeival markets/festivals are organized festivities where you can experience an idea of daily life as it was during the Middle Ages. These festivities are usually organized by history affectionados and they really are quite fun. You can taste recipes using the ingredients available during that era, experience different trades that are now lost and hear troubadours/ and medieval music.

In addition to what sky said, we have seen, blacksmiths at work, beer brewed, cheese-making, leather work, wool spinning and dying

The mock battles with swords, flails, torches and axes, archery and jousting are pretty good. Each event is different, the music is often heavy on bagpipes and drums. Sometimes there are jugglers, acrobats etc.

You may be able to get a drinking horn, suit of armour or part thereof, pottery cups bowls, swords, knives, jewellery, medieval outfits, bow and arrows, have a go at axe throwing or archery. Often people go to a lot of trouble to dress up and wander around, so even the people watching is interesting. Not everyone dresses up, only some, the toddlers and babies always look so adorable and some of the young guys who wear leather armour look really cool.

I just see it as a few hours of entertainment.

A lot of these guys also attend the various Highland Games in CH, at the one in Fehraltorf 2 weeks ago I was seriously chatted up by a medieval wench. Very nice she was too! There's another 3 day event near Fribourg at the end of the month which isn't listed on any of the above calenders.

So you're going to follow-up with the details ... right?

*Please!*

cheers,
(Mr)Wibble

Yup!

Highland Games, Fribourg