In 2003, the first Christmas market was held at the villa, now part of "Weimar Classics"--This is how the Schloss looks today.

Helen, mila, and myself were lucky enough to be able to drive out to Gross-Kochberg on one chilly wintery day, with the expectation of a day imbued with culture; for this is where Charlotte von Stein, aristocrat in the court of Weimar (don't forget, a miniscule dukedom back then but already on the map of the GRAND TOUR) would retreat to escape from the strict etiquette characteristic of the nobility of the time. A Christmas market in a historically genuine spot! Music! Costumes! Lovely gardens! Local/traditional crafts! lets see, whats the name for the German wine....how quickly we forget......
Well. It was a freezing day, unfortunately. That meant that for the most part everyone and everybody tried to cram into the (small) cellar, where the craft booths were. I lost my friends. It was hot, stuffy, the crafts were..... nichts. na ja. Suddenly, across the sea of heads, I saw the smiling face of Michael, my mila. Ahh!! l It was the first event at the Schloss. mila helen and I ended up out in the garden, mature, tall trees, covered with a sprinkling of snow...but it was just too darn cold. That was our day at the Schloss Kochberg. The expectations were more charming than the reality. But I would have never forgiven myself, if we had missed it...