Schlitz Christmas Candle, Medieval tower in Schlitz, Germany.
The Schlitz Christmas Candle, also known as the Hinterturm, is a medieval tower in the center of Schlitz that gets wrapped in red fabric and topped with an electric flame during winter. It rises prominently above the surrounding rooftops and serves as a monumental holiday symbol.
The tower was built in the 14th century and is the last surviving element of a medieval castle that once protected the town of Schlitz. It marks the shift from a fortified settlement to a modern city.
The Christmas market surrounding the tower displays local crafts, regional specialties, and traditional German holiday customs. Visitors and locals gather here to shop and celebrate during the winter season.
The interior of the tower is open to visitors and provides wide views of the city and the Hesse region from the top. On bad weather days or freezing winter days, the climb can be tiring, so plan your visit when conditions are mild.
Since 1991, the stone structure transforms into the world's largest non-wax candle and is listed in the Guinness Book of Records. This transformation happens year after year at the same time and draws visitors from across the region.
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