Santa's Village, Underground christmas market in Valkenburg aan de Geul, Netherlands.
Description
Santa's Village is an underground Christmas market set within the marl caves beneath Cauberg hill in Valkenburg. Numerous stalls line the illuminated passages selling seasonal goods, decorations, handmade gifts, and local food specialties throughout the cave corridors.
History
The market developed within caves formed by centuries of marl extraction used for building materials in the region. What began as a local idea has grown into Europe's largest underground Christmas celebration.
Culture
Local makers and sellers display traditional Dutch holiday items throughout the caves, blending regional customs from Limburg into their shops. You'll see decorations that reflect how people in this area celebrate the season.
Practical
The site operates from November through early January with extended hours during peak days. Wear warm clothing as the caves stay cool and slightly damp year-round, and sturdy footwear helps navigate the stone passages safely.
Did you know?
The natural limestone walls you see were actually quarried for centuries to build houses and structures in the area. Walking through the market means walking through the very material that shaped how this region developed and built itself.
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