Cold Market (Ellwangen)

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Cold market parade

The cold market in Ellwangen , east Württemberg is a market that is held every January. In the past it was an important cattle and horse market for the region. The oldest surviving documentary mention dates back to 1370, the market is considered to be even older. Today, on the occasion of the Cold Market, a horse award ceremony, a horse parade, a sales fair, a grocer's market and the so-called farmers' rally take place.

Origin of the market

In 764 the two brothers Hariolf and Erlolf founded the Ellwangen monastery in the Jagst valley and brought the relics of the Cappadocian horse breeders and saints Speusippus, Eleusippus and Meleusippus to Ellwangen. These were venerated by the population as horse saints. Out of this admiration, Ellwangen developed into a meeting place for horse dealers and prospective buyers. In the Ellwanger Lehensbuch A from 1370 a cold day of measurement is mentioned, which was held on January 17th. January 17th was the feast day of the holy triplets, it was also the feast day of St. Anthony , which is why the market was also known as the Antonius market . In the 17th century, the cold market was moved to the Monday after Epiphany . The name Kalter Markt comes from the temperatures that usually prevail in January. Until the 1970s, horses were traded on the cold market.

According to an official description from the late 19th century, the farmers from the Ellwangen area were known for breeding “excellent hard-working hard oxen”, but also fattened oxen. The Ellwang farmers sold horses between the ages of one and three years, they only kept a few fillies for further breeding. In 1626 around 300 horses were offered for sale on the Cold Market, in 1628 there were 190 and 1630 only 119. Between 1789 and 1798, an average of 486 horses and 92 oxen were sold. In 1798 956 horses were driven to the market, 409 of which found a buyer.

In 1881 1073 horses, 680 oxen, 401 bulls, 431 cows and 419 calves were offered on the cold market. 58 railway wagons were required to transport the animals sold.

The cattle markets were held in Langen Strasse (now Marienstraße) and Spitalstrasse. There were oxen and cows in two rows with their heads facing the middle of the street. Both streets were impassable for vehicles during the market and the windows of the houses could not be opened because of the stench. The pig market was in the alley behind the "Black Eagle", the dog and poultry market on today's Karl-Wöhr-Platz.

After the First World War, the cold market was not held again until 1921 and was revitalized by awarding prizes for foals and teams and an exhibition of agricultural equipment. The cattle market was moved to Oberer Brühl in 1935/1936, and from 1961 on it took place on Schießwasen.

The cold market today

Team on the cold market 2014

On the Sunday after Dreikönig , the cold market begins with a festive equestrian mass in the St. Vitus basilica . On the following Monday, one of the central elements of the market takes place with the horse award ceremony and the subsequent pageant through the city. Up until 2013, only three and four year old mares and pregnant mares between five and ten years old were awarded prizes. Since 2014, older mares who do not have to be pregnant can also take part. All breeds, warm-blooded animals , cold-blooded horses and small horses are admitted to the award. The award is further enhanced by teams . Up to 400 horses and teams are awarded in this way.

The traditional “farmers' rally” is a gathering of farmers from the region to which a speaker is invited. The festival will end on Wednesday with a grocer's market in the entire city center of Ellwangen. Sour tripe is traditionally served in the inns at the Cold Market .

Sales fair

Since 2000, a four-day horse fair with products and equipment for agriculture, horse keeping and equestrian sports has been attached to the Cold Market from Sunday to Wednesday. The public fair includes around 100 exhibitors on an exhibition area of ​​around 10,000 m² in four exhibition halls with articles and equipment that are needed in agriculture and by horse owners.

literature

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Eugen Weis: Citizens of Ellwangen under Abbot and Provost. In: Ellwangen 764–1964. Schwabenverlag, Ellwangen 1964, pp. 168-178.
  2. ^ A b Quintus Scheble, Rupert readers: From horses, prices and cartridges. The cold market in Ellwangen. Süddeutsche Verlagsgesellschaft, Ulm 1998, ISBN 3-88294-271-1 .
  3. ↑ a b Hans Pfeifer: Ellwangen. Art and history from 1250 years. Süddeutsche Verlagsgesellschaft, Ulm 2000, ISBN 3-88294-295-9 .

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