Our History

The “Altwiener Märkte” began in 1987 with the first “Altwiener Christkindlmarkt” on Michaelerplatz.

After two very successful first years, the market moved to the newly renovated Freyung.

The Altwiener Christkindlmarkt has since become a Viennese institution.

In 1990 the organizers launched the first Altwiener Ostermarkt on the Freyung. This springtime counterpart to the Christmas market carries on the market tradition on the beautiful historic market square of the Freyung.

The music programs at the Easter market are just as popular as the Kasperl puppet shows, and both remain perennial favorites. “Europe's largest egg mountain” in the middle of the Altwiener Ostermarkt has become legendary and unique, and the “giant egg” is a popular spot for taking photos and lingering.

Just as in the past on this square, the goods come from the workshops of a wide variety of artisans from Austria and neighboring countries.

Among other things, the Altwiener Ostermarkt keeps old traditions alive, such as making Palm Sunday bundles (Palmbuschen) and Ratschen (playing wooden rattles), and Easter specialties from the rural areas around Vienna find their way into the city center, just as in days gone by.

The Freyung is an extraordinary square in Vienna's city center. In earliest times it was a thoroughfare, in use since the days of the Romans. In 1156 Heinrich II Jasomirgott moved his residence to Vienna (the Schottenstift was founded in 1155).

Only gradually did the palaces that frame the Freyung today appear: Palais Harrach, Palais Daun-Kinsky, Palais Ferstel, Admonter Hof, Palais Abensberg-Traun (Austro-Hungarian Bank), the Schubladkastenhaus and the aforementioned Schottenstift.

The Austria Fountain still stands on the square. Since olden times, this square has been a marketplace.