Medieval Merriment Meets Modernday Marketing

The weekend of 12th and 13th of June sees a merry mix of medieval and modern festivities to celebrate the 800th anniversary of Godesburg castle. Visitors to Bad Godesberg will be treated not so much to a time warp as to a time tunnel, with a medieval market at one end and modernday retailing at the other. Set in the historical grounds of the castle, the ‘living history’ market will offer traders’ stalls, with replica jewellery, clothing, toys, leather goods and many other fascinating items. Jugglers, jesters, musicians and minstrels will be on hand to entertain the crowds, and children will be invited to join in games from yesteryore. Travelling bakeries and taverns will serve authentic Middle Age fare. Moving along towards modern times and the town centre, the city terraces will be given over to a sand-castle competition. Contestants young and old can get down in about five tonnes of sand to build miniature versions of the Godesburg. The best entry will receive a prize in the form of a plane ride to get a bird’s eye view of the castle ruins from the air. Over on Moltkeplatz, just across the road from Kinopolis cinema, there will be a 1950s market, with Fifties’ hot rods, outfits and accessories, bric a brac, records and boogie woogie dancers. Bringing things bang up to date, eleven local car dealers will present their very latest models on Theaterplatz – the pedestrian zone in the centre of town. As an added extra, lovers of French breads, wines, cheeses and meats can saunter across to the French market on Alte Bahnhofstrasse. The weekend is nicely rounded off with Sunday shopping from 1 pm to 6 pm.

Tickets for the medieval market cost €5 for adults, €3 for children up to 14 and for anyone dressed in medieval costume; children no taller than a sword’s length (140 cm) get in free.

For more, see the flyers at: www.godesberg-stadtmarketing.de
Text: Carol Stocks