Three angels for the Christkindlesmarkt
Bärbel, Rosa and Kunigunde
Visitors to the Nuremberg Christmas Market will not fail to notice: Rauschgoldengel are as much a part of the market as the bratwursts, gingerbread and Zwetschgenmännla. However, many people walk past the largest of their kind. Hardly anyone knows their names or even knows more about them. But it's definitely worth taking a look at the Christmas sky. After all, the three life-size tinsel angels Bärbel, Rosa and Kunigunde stand tall and majestic, hovering high above the heads of visitors, pointing the way to Nuremberg's famous Christmas market.
What you should know about them:
- Bärbel, Rosa and Kunigunde hang on the Plobenhof, on the Fleischbrücke and in the passageway between the Christkindlesmarkt and the market of the twin cities.
- The three were made in 1953 - Bärbel the slightly smaller one at 1.80 m and Rosa and Kunigunde the two larger tinsel angels at around 2.50 m
- Weight: the smaller Rauschgoldengel weighs approx. 60 kg, the two larger ones approx. 80 kg
- Material: head made of wood, clothes, apron, crown made of metal.
- What are the angels wearing? A golden metal crown, golden top, floor-length golden pleated skirt, pleated apron. The two large angels each have a red stripe on their dress and apron, the smaller Bärbel has a blue apron.
- Tricky installation: special vehicles and extra steel ropes are needed to lift the 60 kg and 80 kg tinsel angels to lofty heights and securely fasten them there.
- The Rauschgoldangels are a symbol of the Christkindlesmarkt and used to be made from wafer-thin beaten brass: so-called Rauschgold.
- And: a real Nuremberg tinsel angel has no arms!
- You can still buy "Rauschgoldengel" in various designs and sizes at many stalls today.
© Daniela Paulus
© Daniela Paulus
© Daniela PaulusCategories at
Three angels for the Christkindlesmarkt
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