The Schlitz Christmas Candle is a candle-like structure unveiled every Christmas season in Schlitz, a small town in Hesse, Germany. It is approximately 42-metre (138 ft) tall, and is thought to be the largest non-wax candle in the world.[1][2][3][4][5] The candle is created by draping a red cloth over the stone tower at the center of the town. The tower is then topped off with an electric flame to give the impression of a Christmas candle, which can be seen from great distances looming above the town's Tudor-style buildings.[1][2] The tower used to form the candle is called the Hinterturm, which was built in the 14th century, and is the remnant of a castle that no longer stands. An elevator inside the Hinterturm takes visitors to the top of the tower.[3]
The candle has been a yearly tradition in Schlitz since the Christmas Candle was first established on November 28, 1991.[2] The candle serves as the town's Christmas market, which includes vendors, activities, entertainment and guest appearances by Santa Claus[1] Mayor Hans-Jürgen Schäfer said of the candle, "People come from all over Germany just to take a look at the Christmas candle. Of course, this brings Schlitz to the attention of people all over the world."[1] Every year in January, the town receives newspaper clippings from all over the world with stories about the Schlitz Christmas Candle.[1]
Before the Schlitz Christmas Candle, the largest non-wax candle in the world was believed to be the Peace Candle, a tower-like structure assembled every holiday season in Easton, a Pennsylvania city in the United States.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Partridge, Joanna (2008-12-07). "World's biggest Christmas candle". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2007-12-13. Retrieved 2009-12-22.
- ^ a b c d McEvoy, Colin (2009-12-20). "How Easton measures up: Peace Candle not the tallest, but plenty tall". The Express-Times. Easton, Pennsylvania. p. A1. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2009-12-22.
- ^ a b Jaeger, Peter (2008-05-06). "Quick Trips: Drink in the ancient German origin of Schlitz beer". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 2009-12-23.
- ^ Egert, Jeanne (2009-12-05). "Advent: A time to reflect and assess". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved 2009-12-22. [dead link]
- ^ "Turismo na Alemanha - viagens, férias". www.germany.travel. Archived from the original on 2014-08-06.
External links
edit