Alter Markt, Cologne

Alter Markt, or the Old Market, lies in the heart of the old town . It is home to the Christmas market during the festive season and the Medienburgerfest in the summer, but is perhaps best known for the Carnival which begins here at 11.11am on the 11th day of the 11th month. This is when Cologne goes completely crazy and hoards of Jecken, or madmen, storm the town hall . Once Cologne's commercial centre, nowadays it is simply a focal point for tourists who flock here to witness the comings and goings around the Marktbrunnen fountain.