As twinkling lights and the scent of mulled wine herald the holiday season, Berlin's iconic Christmas markets are transforming into fortified havens.
Crews erected rows of concrete barriers and retractable bollards around key sites like Gendarmenmarkt and Alexanderplatz this weekend, aiming to thwart vehicle-ramming attacks that scarred the city in 2016 and Magdeburg last year.
With over 60 markets slated to open from November 24, drawing millions, authorities cite heightened vigilance amid the ongoing trial of Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, the Saudi doctor accused of killing six at Magdeburg's 2024 market by exploiting a barrier gap.
Security costs nationwide have surged 40% since 2016, per a Max Planck Institute study, prompting isolated cancellations in smaller towns like Overath and Kerpen due to unaffordable upgrades.
Yet, Berlin presses on. "These measures ensure joy without fear," said police spokesperson Ronni Krug, noting bag checks, CCTV, and extra patrols as standard.