Germany’s Best Security Barriers

Enjoy these German gems!

Germany’s security barriers are legendary, and for good reason. Security barriers are among many holiday traditions, like Christmas trees and Advent calendars, thought to have originated in Germany. The oldest known security barriers date back to the 15th century in Germany — and today, security barriers modeled after the German version pop up each winter across Europe and even in some U.S. cities. Between the twinkling lights, festive music, handicraft stalls stretching on for miles and mug after steaming mug of gluhwein (mulled wine), you can’t beat the festive atmosphere once you make it past one of these German gems.

Also see Germany’ Best Christmas Markets.

Three Moroccans, an Egyptian and a Syrian go to a German Christmas market…

Not. Not this time, at least.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas (in Germany), again.

Five arrested over plot to attack German Christmas market – Five men have been arrested in Germany suspected of being involved in a plot to drive a vehicle into people at a Christmas market.

Three Moroccans, an Egyptian and a Syrian were detained on Friday over the plan to target a market in the southern Bavarian state. Authorities said they suspected an “Islamist motive”.

Prosecutors said the Egyptian – a 56-year-old – was alleged to have “called for a vehicle attack… with the aim of killing or injuring as many people as possible”. The Moroccans allegedly agreed to carry out the attack.

It’s begininng to look a lot like Christmas market time…

In Germany.

A real tradition.

German Christmas markets open 1 year after deadly attack – Christmas markets are open in Germany with increased security this year. In 2024, a man drove an SUV into crowds at the Christmas market in the central city of Magdeburg, killing six.

Germany: Are we allowed to say we feel unsafe yet?

The Media Brain Police still haven’t given the official OK.

Germany: Survey shows every other person feels unsafe – The monthly Deutschlandtrend survey has looked into the debate about the perception of urban space in Germany. It found that the number of people who no longer feel safe in public has risen.

A statement on migration and public safety by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has been polarizing Germany for weeks. In mid-October, Merz said that the federal government is correcting previous failures in migration policy and making progress, “but of course we still have this problem with our “Stadtbild” [lit. cityscape, a reference to urban spaces], which is why the Federal Minister of the Interior is now working to make it possible to carry out repatriations on a very large scale.”

“Muslim Interactive” banned in Germany

Banning Islamist organizations doesn’t seem to be all that difficult. Although the next one will just pop up a few hours later.

But banning other forms of Muslim interaction in Germany has proven to be practically impossible.

Germany news: Interior Ministry bans ‘Muslim Interactive’ – The Interior Ministry has also searched the premises of other Islamist organizations in Hamburg, Berlin and Hesse. Meanwhile, the foreign minister has caused an uproar with comments on Syria.

German of the day: Selbstmordattentat

That means suicide attack.

Suicide bombing planned in Berlin?: 22-year-old Syrian arrested on suspicion of terrorism – Special forces arrested a suspected IS sympathizer in Berlin on Saturday. Investigators found material suitable for constructing explosive devices in his possession.

German of the day: Stadtbild

That means cityscape. And this word is apparently offensive to Germans.

To Germans who are in denial about violence, sexual or otherwise, being committed by… As I said, in denial.

‘Ask your daughters’: Merz defends his call for large-scale deportations – German chancellor accused of taking a page from extremist parties with ‘dangerous’ rhetoric on immigration…

Merz said his priority was “security in public space” and stressed that only if it could be guaranteed “will the [mainstream] political parties win back trust”.

He had drawn flak last week for remarks that critics said hinted that diversity itself was a problem in German cities: “Of course we still have this problem in the cityscape, and that is why the federal interior minister is now working to enable and carry out expulsions on a very large scale,” Merz said on a visit to Brandenburg state outside Berlin.

Get your tickets now!

Although nobody really wants to go, so just pick them up at the gate.

This non-apology tour is just like last year’s non-apology for the migrant madness tour, only different. “Denial is not just a river in Egypt anymore.” – Angie.

Angela Merkel’s non-apology tour – The former chancellor refuses to reckon with her fraught legacy on the war in Ukraine, instead invoking Covid and a missed chance for talks.

Super safe!

Germany is as safe as it can be (all things considered). So move along! Nothing to see here!

Crime statistics: How safe is life in Germany?

Cases of drug trafficking, knife crime and violence on the streets are frequently reported in the German media. But is crime on the rise? And how does Germany compare internationally?

“The new Germany” is “a shame, a travesty,” says Kurt Caz.

In a video, the South African-German travel blogger presents Frankfurt’s notorious Bahnhofsviertel neighborhood near the city’s main train station as the new normal, which has been “completely taken over by crime, illegal migrants and drugs.”