Photos

Munich, Germany's open-air market has interesting shops, flowers, vegetables, fruit, restaurants, etc.
In early April, the tulips are in bloom and are obviously one of Europeans favorite flowers.

In the mid 16th century, the tulip was introduced to Europe from Turkey. The Dutch became the premier growers of tulips. The flowers beauty, and also because of its timing of the beginning of Spring, popularized it as a status symbol and a sign of royalty. Probably in part because of the demand and cost of tulip bulbs.

It is interesting to note that the Dutch created one of the first modern trading markets with tulips. The selling and trading of tulip bulb 'futures' would create selling and trading pracitces much like today's stock market commodities traders, market to market margins, short selling, etc. In 1637 the speculative bubble burst just like modern stock market crashes.