Katharinenmarkt Hoya

The activities at the market grounds offer a fascinating glimpse into the past: Here, the traveling merchants and artisans from “Fogelvrei Produktionen,” the members of “Katharinenmarkt e.V.,” and the market vendors from Ars Vivendi set up their stalls, let visitors watch them at work, and offer their wares for sale. At about three dozen stalls, blacksmiths, shoemakers, miracle merchants, and quacks, among others, provide a glimpse into medieval economic life. To ensure no one goes hungry or thirsty, all manner of delicacies are prepared at the taverns and roasteries. And to keep the fun going, the “Fogelvrei” artists provide entertainment and a historic atmosphere. From the market stage, the market regulations are read aloud, with the Count of Hoya admonishing the merchants and hawkers and inspecting their wares to ensure that the people receive the proper measure of beer and the proper length of sausage.Jugglers, jesters, and comedians play pranks on the visitors, musicians perform, and jugglers guarantee “the best entertainment.” The falconer thrills the crowd with his flight show, and the knights from Bohemia fight for the honor of the noble ladies.Hoya’s history truly comes to life when Countess Mechtild, Count Otto III, Abbess Katharina (the daughter of the count and countess), the market bailiff, and Archbishop Gerhard take the stage.

For 27 years now, the Katharinenmarkt Association has been preserving Hoya’s history and continually creating new stories from days of yore. A “strict market court” is held, and the highly official opening ceremony invites the people to cheer...