In the quirky toy town of Seiffen, there’s no need to set your watch for the holiday season. All eyes turn to the famous Christmas clock perched above the town square, ticking down the days, hours, and minutes to Christmas Eve. When the clock strikes 5 p.m. on December 24th, the whole village proclaims a heartfelt “Hooray!” signaling that the season is officially here. Shops close, silence settles, and maybe even a dusting of snow completes the scene.
Shortly after, the bells of Seiffen’s iconic mountain church begin to chime, calling villagers and visitors alike to a cozy, candlelit service. Built in the 18th century by Christian Gotthelf Reuther, this octagonal marvel takes architectural cues from Dresden’s Frauenkirche, though with a dash more rustic charm. The church even has a tin-mining figurine pointing to Seiffen’s roots in the ore trade—a time when this mountain town gleamed with wealth, thanks to rivers yielding precious tin.
By the 19th century, as tin lost its sparkle, Seiffen’s artisans pivoted to woodcraft. Today, handcrafted treasures like nutcrackers, pyramids, and charming little toys pack every corner store. And if you’re in town, don’t forget to glance at the Christmas clock. Haven’t hit the big “0” yet? Then you’ve still got time to snag those last-minute gifts. In Seiffen, there’s simply no excuse for being unprepared—Christmas doesn’t sneak up on anyone here!