Anno 1250 — Medieval Market in the Archaeology Park

Medieval Market on Historic Ground

Sometimes, a festival's venue is its most important narrative. The Höxter Archaeology Park is precisely such a place: What today lies as a park-like meadow with paths and excavation islands between Corvey Castle and the town of Höxter, was a thriving Carolingian-Ottonian town named Corvey in the Middle Ages — until it was destroyed in 1265 due to warfare. Today, it is preserved only as an archaeological monument. When ANNO-EVENTS sets up the medieval market Anno 1250 here in July 2026, it is thus actually happening on the foundations of a medieval town — a backdrop that no studio set could ever replicate.

July 10th to 12th, 2026 — Three Days of Medieval Atmosphere

The festival runs for three days with the following opening hours:

• Friday 10.07. 4 PM–10 PM — Opening into the evening
• Saturday 11.07. 1 PM–10 PM — Main visitor day
• Sunday 12.07. 11 AM–7 PM — Family day with children's program

What Visitors Can Expect

The program follows the proven ANNO-EVENTS choreography for medieval markets of this scale:

• Knight Tournaments — show fights with lances, swords, and on horseback
• Dragon "Fangdorn" — the large animatronic sculpture as a crowd-puller
• Historical Encampments — reenactment groups live in medieval tents, cook over campfires, present daily life
• Medieval Crafts — blacksmithing, pottery, weaving, leatherwork, bow making, coin minting
• Market Stalls — mead, honey wine, medieval-style food, historical handicrafts
• Live Music — medieval bands, minstrels, bagpipes
• Juggling and Theater — street performers, magic, fire shows

The UNESCO World Heritage Site Next Door

Directly adjacent to the Archaeology Park stands Corvey Castle and Abbey — a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014. The Westwerk of the abbey church (built 873–885) is among the most significant surviving structures of the Carolingian era and a pilgrimage site for medieval architecture enthusiasts across Europe. Visitors to the medieval market should definitely plan a detour to the castle and the Westwerk crypt — tickets are sold separately, but the geographical proximity makes combining the visits logical.

Huxarium Garden Park as Co-Organizer

The Huxarium Gartenpark Höxter is the institutional successor to the 2023 Höxter State Garden Show. It operates the grounds as a public park and event venue. ANNO-EVENTS from Höxter specializes in organizing medieval markets and historical festivals and operates markets at several historical sites in Northwest Germany.

Höxter — The Gateway to the Weser Uplands

Höxter is located in the extreme northeast of North Rhine-Westphalia on the Weser river — the gateway to the Weser Uplands. The town has an exceptionally well-preserved half-timbered old town with a Gothic city church, Renaissance houses, and narrow alleys. Those who wish to combine the medieval market with a weekend in the region will find numerous hiking and cycling trails, castles, boat tours on the Weser, and a decelerated atmosphere in the Weser Uplands that the Ruhr area cannot offer.