The Christmas markets, which are popular all over the world, date back to the Middle Ages. In Ulm, a market in the Advent time can be found for 1383. The famous Striezelmarkt in Dresden is mentioned for the first time in 1434, the Lebzeltermarkt (gingerbread market) in Augsburg in 1498.

Historically, no Christmas market can be found in Vechta in the Middle Ages, but the beginnings of the Vechta markets date to around 1298. For this reason, the museum organises a medieval winter market at the Zeughaus in cooperation with the Friends of the medieval center Vechta e.V.

As a patron of the name, Saint Barbara was chosen - a Christian maiden, martyr and saint of the 3rd century. Barbara is one of the "Fourteen Emergency Aids." Their behaviour in the face of persecution and death is regarded as a symbol of defenses and steadfastness in faith. This is indicated by their representation with their attribute, the tower of steadfastness. It is called against thunderstorms, fire danger, fever, pestilence and sudden death. Barbara is a patron for hunters, stonemasons, carpenters, roofers, architects, artillerymen, firefighters, grave-diggers, hatters, girls and prisoners.

The traders and craftsmen with their stands on the winter market are thus under a special protection when they offer their different goods. At Kramer you can find almost everything, the furler from the far north praises the special quality of his skins, the lanternmaker the beautiful light, the glass beadmaker her jewelery, the arms dealer and knifemaker the hardness of the blades, the baker the freshness of his bread, the herb woman The healing power of their plants.