During the Christmas season, the marketplace at Maxplatz in Bamberg's pedestrian zone is filled with pre-Christmas magic. In the heart of the Old Town with its illuminated and decorated shops and streets, the irresistible aroma of grilled bratwurst, roasted almonds, mulled wine and lebkuchen fills the air. Toys and baubles hang from the market stands, selling Christmas fare, hand-crafted gifts, decorations and much more. At the end of the market lanes, the large nativity scene dominates the square, comprising a Franconian half-timbered house which depicts different scenes as the weeks progress.