Adelgundisfest on the Staffelberg

Saint Adelgundis and Her Water

Saint Adelgundis (also Aldegonde, c. 630-684), abbess of Maubeuge in present-day northern France, is considered in Catholic tradition as the patron saint against cancer, eye diseases, and fever. Her veneration on the Staffelberg in Upper Franconia can be traced back to the High Middle Ages. The Adelgundis water, originating from the mountain spring and blessed by the church, has been taken by pilgrims as a healing remedy for centuries.

The Adelgundis Chapel on the Staffelberg

The Staffelberg (539 m) is a striking table mountain above the Obermain Valley in the Lichtenfels district and is considered a holy mountain of the Franks. On the summit plateau, alongside a Celtic rampart and a Baroque mountain chapel, lies the small Adelgundis Chapel. The ascent to the mountain has been documented as a pilgrimage route since antiquity. In clear weather, the plateau offers a wide view over the entire Maintal valley, reaching as far as the Thuringian Forest.

Program on January 25th

The festival mass begins at 9 AM in the Adelgundis Chapel. The service is celebrated by the Catholic parish of St. Kilian Bad Staffelstein and includes the traditional high mass in honor of the patron saint. The highlight is the consecration of the Adelgundis water: pilgrims can purchase small bottles with the consecrated water for 1.50 Euros – the bottles feature a historical engraving from 1816. Alternatively, each pilgrim can fill their own container free of charge directly at the mountain spring.

An Ascent is Worthwhile

The path to the Staffelberg can be managed from Bad Staffelstein in about an hour's walk. Sturdy footwear and winter-proof clothing are required, as the paths are often icy. Those who dare the ascent will be rewarded with a unique atmosphere: liturgical singing in the small mountain chapel, devout pilgrims filling their water bottles, and the wide winter view over the Franconian landscape.

Supplement in Romansthal

Those who are unable to attend on January 25th can attend another service on January 26th at 6 PM in Romansthal, a district of Bad Staffelstein. The Catholic parish of St. Kilian organizes both celebrations and ensures the spiritual guidance of the Adelgundisfest annually.

Custom as Living Cultural Heritage

The Adelgundisfest combines Catholic folk piety, Upper Franconian traditional customs, and the unique landscape of the Obermain Valley. It is one of the few winter mountain pilgrimage festivals in Bavaria and attracts pilgrims annually from the state of Bavaria, as well as from Thuringia and Saxony. For the residents of Bad Staffelstein and the surrounding communities of the Lichtenfels district, participating in the Adelgundisfest is a matter of course and an integral part of their annual cycle.