Mäertchen Gets Off to Slow Start Following 2-Year Absence

Following a two-year COVID-19-related break, the popular “Mäertchen” (little market) is back in Luxembourg City this month.

The traditional market, which celebrates the Pentecost Octave (Oktav), a religious holiday honouring the Virgin Mary, has returned to Place de la Constitution – it normally also takes place on Place Guillaume II, but construction works are currently being carried out there. This year’s Mäertchen will run from 7 to 22 May 2022.

Traditionally, the Mäertchen was a place for fasting pilgrims to grab something to eat. The pilgrimage dates to the 17^th century and initially lasted for eight days; today, it takes place over a fortnight between Easter and Pentecost.

Saturday 7 May 2022 marked the first day of the market, with slightly more people showing up around lunchtime than in the evening, although overall it was not particularly busy. Concentrated on just one site, this year’s Mäertchen also appeared smaller than in previous years. Nevertheless, visitors seemed pleased at its return after two years. According to the City of Luxembourg (Ville de Luxembourg – VdL), there are about 50 stands present for this edition, offering everything from food and drinks to games and fairground attractions. Every year, the Mäertchen attracts thousands of visitors to the city centre.

The bigger restaurants are notably missing this year, although there are still several takeaways serving traditional Mäertchen delicacies, such as Gromperekichelcher (deep-fried potato pancakes) and gebakene Fësch (fried fish), as well as drinks and sweets, which visitors can enjoy on outdoor terraces overlooking the Adolphe Bridge and the Pétrusse Valley.

The stands are open daily from 11:00 to 20:00. Merchants wishing to do so are free to open as early as 08:00 and remain open until 22:00.