The Christmas market in the city of Craiova ranks third in the ranking of the most beautiful fairs organized in Europe, compiled by the specialized website europeanbestdestinations.com and published on Thursday afternoon. According to the rating, the first place was taken by Budapest, the second – the Polish city of Gdansk, and the fourth – Vienna.

Christmas fair in KraiówPhoto: Inquam Photos

“At least we Romanians took revenge for the fact that we were ahead of Austria today. It’s really a surprise, and the fact that we got ahead of Vienna, I think it’s a great joy for Romanians today,” he said. the mayor of Craiova, Lia Olgutsa Vasilescu, immediately after the result was announced, at 5:00 p.m.

Last year, the municipality of Craiova took sixth place in the same rating.

“I thank everyone who voted for Craiova to become one of the most beautiful Christmas destinations. Here we are on the podium this year. This means that we have to prepare for the next fair. (…) There are many tourists who have come to Craiova these days, and I am convinced that after they see the new rating, they will come even more in the following days. I am convinced that no one has such beautiful houses for Christmas. To be honest, I was hoping it would be a place higher. I saw that there are many very beautiful Christmas markets, and it’s really a surprise, and the fact that we are ahead of Vienna, I think it’s a great joy for Romanians today,” said Vasylescu

5th place went to Montbéliard, France; 6th place – Essen, Germany; 7th place – Valkenburg, Netherlands; 8th place – Madeira, Portugal; 9th place – Govone & Asti, Italy, and 10th place – Madrid, Spain.

The Christmas market in Craiova received 41,884 votes, many of which came from outside Romania – the USA, Great Britain, the Netherlands and Germany. Between Craiova and Gdańsk in Poland, the city takes second place with a difference of 6,137 votes, while Budapest took first place with 51,253 votes.

A total of 374,803 people from 179 countries visited the site and voted for the 20 candidate cities proposed by European Best Destinations. From Romania, Craiova was the only city registered in the competition. (source: Agerpres)