Ortenberg - Kalter Markt

When it's time to go home,

the snow can't be seen in the fields,

eann de Loft die Roawe fläije,

Keann as if the house were crowing,

When the white people wake up

quickly light a fire in the oven,

and the men curse inside

look for their old woollen woof

and the warmer is thrown away,

then it's time for the Otteberch.

- Dialect poem about the Cold Market -

It is the Ortenberg flagship par excellence:

the Cold Market.

Since the 13th century, the largest folk festival in Upper Hesse has been celebrated at the end of October. Over 400 market stalls await visitors, a well-stocked amusement park, an informative exhibition in the exhibition tent, a large vehicle exhibition in the outdoor area and a colourful entertainment programme in the marquee.

The special significance of the Cold Market for the whole of Upper Hesse lies in the fact that, from the point of view of the people of earlier centuries, the timing was ideal: grain, fruit and wine had been harvested and the young cattle had grown to the point where they could be sold. The market was therefore well stocked in every respect. Conversely, all the supplies for the long winter and the materials for the frequently carried out homework could now be purchased, as the money was now most likely to be available. In the higher villages, the roads were too difficult to drive on after the frost and snow. At the end of October, however, the weather still allowed people to spend time outdoors.

Source: Magistrate of the town of Ortenberg / http://www.kalter-markt.de

Travel information:

By public transport:

- by train - Ortenberg-Effolderbach station (distance to the festival site approx. 4.5 km)

- by train - Glauburg-Stockheim station (distance to the festival site approx. 5.5 km)

- by bus - bus stop Wilhelm-Leuschner-Straße

By car:

- Venue: Ortenberg town centre

Parking facilities:

- Wippenbacher Straße car park