Freisen celebrates Medieval Market

by Jutta Lausberg-Saam 
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

The 19th medieval market at Freisen takes place Aug. 2 to 4. The event is one of the largest medieval events in Germany.
The Nature Wild Park Freisen team will go about 1,000 years back in time and present all eras of the Middle Ages on a fest area of about 90,000 square meters. A medieval town made of approximately 600 tents will be set up to house more than 1,900 actors. There will be more than 130 groups including Vikings, Celts and Normans demonstrating life in the Middle Ages.
More than 100 vendors and craftsmen’s stands can be found in the main market area, where visitors can watch how things were made in former times. Jewelry made of different materials, knives, baskets, weapons, belts, shoes, wooden toys, ceramics, hats, lamps, liquors, vinegar, marmalade, mustard, and sweets will be for sale.
Visitors can taste medieval food including wild boar, flat cakes, potato pancakes, rice and vegetable pots, sauerkraut, waffles, and crepes. Specialty drinks include mead, coffee, mocha, tea, and soft drinks.
The official market opening with a parade of all participants walking into the area will be at 1:45 p.m. Saturday; and at 1:45 p.m. Sunday knights will show off their horses. Throughout Saturday and Sunday, battle demonstrations will take place at the tournament site. The stage program will feature musicians with medieval instruments, dancers, and jugglers.

Saturday at 10 p.m., a torch parade to the juggler’s square will take place.
The medieval market will be open Friday from 4 p.m. until midnight, Saturday 10 a.m. until midnight, and Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Admission fee for the medieval market is euro 10 for adults and euro 7 for children 14 years and younger and visitors in medieval costumes. A combination ticket to grant access to the medieval market and the nature wild park is euro 15 for adults and euro 10 for children and visitors in medieval costumes. Children shorter than a sword (120 centimeters) are admitted for free. The tickets are valid for both days. Dogs are authorized if they are on a leash.

Freisen is on autobahn A62, northwest of Glan-Muenchweiler. The park’s address is Hermbacherhof 1, 66629 Freisen. For details, visit www.mittelaltermarkt-freisen.de.