BERLIN – Traditional Christmas markets were opening across Germany on Monday, drawing revelers to their wooden stands with mulled wine, grilled sausages, potato pancakes or caramelized apples.

Security has been stepped up, with memories of two deadly attacks on Christmas markets still fresh for many Germans.

In Berlin , the famous market at the city’s Gedächtniskirche church opened with service open to the public on Monday morning. Other openings included the Christmas markets at the Rotes Rathaus city hall, Gendarmenmarkt and Charlottenburg Palace.

Christmas markets are an annual tradition that Germans have cherished since the Middle Ages – and successfully exported to much of the Western world . Vendors sell not only snacks and drinks but also handmade candles, wool hats, gl

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