Schwahlmarkt at St. Petri Cathedral

Arts and Crafts in the Schwahl

The «Schwahl» is the cloister of Schleswig Cathedral — a late medieval structure with elaborate vaults from the 14th century. Once a year, during Advent, the cloister becomes a marketplace: Around 30 exhibitors from Schleswig-Holstein and the Danish Sønderjylland set up their stalls between the stone columns. The selection is strictly curated — only original handmade pieces are allowed, no industrial mass-produced goods.

Jewelry, Ceramics, Textiles, Wood

The range includes delicate silver jewelry, stoneware and porcelain painting, wooden toys and turned items, as well as woven scarves, felt hats, and hand-painted Christmas baubles. Most of the workshops come from northern Schleswig-Holstein and Denmark — the Schwahlmarkt is thus also a small German-Danish cultural exchange.

Proceeds for Cathedral Preservation

The Schwahlmarkt has been organized for decades by the Evangelical Lutheran parish of Schleswig. All proceeds go to the preservation of the cathedral — a building that, due to its age and the North German weather, continuously requires extensive renovation measures. Anyone buying a piece of jewelry or ceramics also contributes to monument preservation.

St. Petri Cathedral as a Backdrop

St. Petri Cathedral in Schleswig is one of the most significant buildings in the state of Schleswig-Holstein. Primarily known for the Bordesholm Altar by Hans Brüggemann (1521), the cathedral has been part of the historical cityscape since the 12th century. The cloister — the Schwahl — is included in the cathedral's entrance fee and is worth a visit in itself.