It is one of my favorite places when it comes to Xmas or Easter markets. Traventhal is so rich in handcrafts that I haven’t seen yet in other places.
Traventhal is a tiny village surrounded by endless fields and woods in the heart of the flat lands of Schleswig-Holstein, just a few minutes far from Bad Segeberg. Every years in the end of October there is a huge Christmas market.
In the last few years it happened that I am around the area just for the market and so this time I took a friend to go to.
The stud has a large parking space where even some young fellows help in finding a ‘gap’ because it is always very crowded. The entrance fee is 5 € (this year) and the ground starts already with a lot of food stands which are pure temptation.
The stud farm of Traventhal – or better Traventhal House – was once the summer residence of the dukes of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Plön. Two centuries ago it was famous for its Baroque gardens. In the late 19th century the original house was replaced by the one we can see today.
What we walked is the stud of the Traventhal manor. Here is a kind of museum and many events during the years are organized, for example the Easter market, a few markets with antiquities, Oldtimer reunions and much more.
Today I can rummage on more than 100 stands. They are packed with food (mainly organic or homemade), antiquities, handcrafts, vintage, clothes and much more. It’s a paradise for gifts. The only ‘bad’ thing: I have to pay cash.
They opened this year a third remise and it takes ages to see all, to try the different foods offered for tasting, to decide which one will be the better gift for a friend.
Of course there is also a place where to eat something (the famous pea soup with sausage, huge pieces of creamy cakes, a mug of coffee..) but honestly it is not a really cozy comfortable place to.
There are as well a lot of attractions for children. Santa Claus, some animals to touch, horse riding, painting… they love this place the same their parents do.
If you have the chance to go to one of the many markets they organize during the year don’t miss it! It is really a wonderful place to always see new handcrafts (the sellers change from year to year to offer always a large different choice), to find inspiration and to relax.
Stud Traventhal, Schleswig-Holstein/Germany
For further information:
Stud farm Traventhal website (in German)
