The Heinzel of Cologne
A VR journey through time
Only for a short time! Let yourself be enchanted by our Christmas special at the Christmas market between Alter Markt and Heumarkt in Cologne. In our special vintage bus “Heinzelexpress”, you will take part in a virtual journey back in time and experience the hard-working hustle and bustle of the Heinzel. Let yourself be carried away and immerse yourself in the legendary world of the Heinzel.
This Christmas special can be booked online with a group of 8 or more people – individual tickets are also available on site.
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The Heinzel of Cologne
- Target group - Especially suitable for families, groups, etc.
- 6 years
- 10 min.
- German, English, Dutch
- Between Heumarkt and Alter Markt
Old market in the 1920s
The “Heinzel” experience at Cologne’s Christmas market at Alter Markt takes guests on a journey through the history of the industrious Heinzel of Cologne. In a historic bus, they travel in VR through a fantastic, underground world, past the various scenes/stanzas of the famous poem by August Kopisch from 1836. While excerpts from the poem are quoted, visitors are given an entertaining insight into the various trades/craft of the 19th century.
The journey starts at Cologne’s Alter Markt in the 1920s. The wintry square is largely quiet. The windows of the surrounding houses radiate warm coziness and a peaceful atmosphere prevails. Then the ground opens up in front of Bechergasse and we descend into a dark, subterranean world in which we gradually pass individual, illuminated cellars.
Sculptures created for Cologne Cathedral
After passing through a mine, the first craft station shows a stonemason’s workshop where the Heinzel contribute to the construction of the cathedral. This is followed by a carpentry workshop where the Heinzel work with wood and are busy at the workbench. This is followed by the flour-dusty bakery with an old oven, bread pusher and lots of flour sacks, where the little men are busy baking. In the cooper’s cellar, the theme of barrel making and wine production is then played out. While the cooper sleeps leaning against
an unfinished barrel, the brownies take care of the other barrels and ensure that the wine is filled into them. The last craft is hat-making. The Heinzelmännchen are working on the jester’s cap of the Cologne Carnival prince, as the hat tailor lay down before it was finished. The hat tailor’s husband eventually becomes the night helpers’ undoing.
Insight into the carpentry workshop
Out of curiosity, he scatters peas in the last cellar room, which the brownies stumble over and fall. When he rushes over with a light, the little men disappear never to be seen againIn the last cellar room, he scatters peas out of curiosity, which the brownies trip over and fall. When he rushes in with a light, the little men disappear never to be seen again.
The finale takes us back from the underworld to the Advent Alter Markt with its decorations and huge Christmas tree. We watch as the brownies leave the city with drums and trumpets. But there is still a glimmer of hope that they have not disappeared forever – because they could return one day for good hearts. This brings the guests from the world of the Heinzel back to the Christmas market.
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Plan visit
Whether on a Cologne city trip, as a team event or simply to experience your hometown in a different way: Dive into the secrets of a time travel at TIMERIDE Cologne and let your historical curiosity run free. All details for your visit to the time travel attraction at TIMERIDE can be found under the following points:
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Want to learnmore about Cologne’s history and VR experiences? Then we recommend our TIMERIDE GO! city tours. Experience with our tour guides either 2000 years of city history in approx. 90min or our Cathedral tour in approx. 60min. – Of course with uniquely vivid insights thanks to VR technology.
