Backofenfest with Maibaumaufstellen Kaltenbrunn

The Old Community Bakehouse as the Centerpiece

In the middle of the Itzgrund district of Kaltenbrunn, directly on Coburger Straße, stands the old community bakehouse – a solid stone building where the village women baked their bread for generations. Like many of these bakehouses in Upper Franconia's Itzgrund (Coburg district), it has been lovingly preserved and is now used by the Kaltenbrunn volunteer fire brigade as the culinary heart of a lively village festival.

Maypole, Brass Band, and Festival Beer

On May 1st, the festival begins around 10 a.m. A young tree, felled from the forest, is decorated with wreaths and guild symbols and, in ancient tradition, raised using cant hooks – a physically demanding ritual that the men of the brigade celebrate with great care and under the watchful eyes of the village. Coburger Straße is closed to traffic at the intersection with Freiberger Straße up to Wirtsgasse; special bus stop diversions are in place.

From the Stone Oven Straight to the Table

While the brass band plays, the fire brigade heats the bakehouse with beech wood. From mid-morning, the aromas of freshly baked breads and pizzas waft through the village center. The menu features classic Backofen-Brote (bakehouse breads), crispy pizzas, hearty snack platters with regional ham, sausage, and cheese, accompanied by Franconian beer, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks. Coffee and homemade cake from the women's group are also available in the afternoon.

Tradition in the Heart of Itzgrund

Itzgrund lies in the Itz valley, between Coburg and Bamberg, and Kaltenbrunn, with just under 1,000 inhabitants, is one of the largest districts of the municipality. The Backofenfest is a firm fixture in the Itzgrund community calendar – a day when the firefighters, clubs, families, and guests from the neighboring villages of Lahm, Herreth, or Schottenstein come together.