Bergfest Mariahilfberg Amberg
One of Bavaria's largest Marian pilgrimages on the Mariahilfberg
About Amberger Bergfest
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Pilgrimage since 1634 — the origin on Mariahilfberg
The Bergfest on Amberg's Mariahilfberg dates back to the plague year of 1634. A severe plague epidemic raged in the Upper Palatinate at that time, and the citizens of Amberg built a small chapel on the hill above the city in their distress. A Jesuit rector placed a statue of Mary in a former watchtower, and after a procession of supplication on September 3, 1634, the epidemic subsided within a few months. From this vow of thanksgiving grew one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Diocese of Regensburg — today cared for by the Franciscans, who inhabit the monastery on the mountain.
Festival week around Visitation of Mary
The Bergfest takes place every year around July 2nd — the Feast of the Visitation of Mary. For nine days, believers from all over the Upper Palatinate, from Middle and Upper Franconia, and even from the Czech Republic make their way up to the Mariahilfberg. Highlights include the open-air services in front of the pilgrimage church at 8:30 AM and 10:00 AM, weather permitting, as well as the evening sermons by a festival preacher appointed by the bishop. Individual days are traditionally dedicated to specific groups — youth, seniors, associations, professional groups.
Beer tent, Bratwurst, and Franciscan collection
Around the church and the monastery, the hilltop transforms into a festival ground: the large beer tent of the Amberg breweries, bratwurst stands, cheese stands, and coffee houses welcome pilgrims and day-trippers alike. The proceeds from food and drink benefit the Franciscan monastery on the mountain — so ordering a Maß (liter of beer) directly supports the monks who have cared for this place for centuries. The Mariahilfberg is considered the region's most important pilgrimage site for enjoyment and one of the top events in the Amberg-Sulzbach region.
Candlelight procession to conclude
The climax is always the candlelight procession on the evening of the main festival day: thousands of pilgrims with candles in hand walk from Amberg's market square up to the pilgrimage church — an impressive sight that makes the close connection between the city and the pilgrimage site visible. In the Diocese of Regensburg, the Amberger Bergfest holds a significance comparable to the major pilgrimages of Altötting or Bogenberg.
Location and Baroque pilgrimage church
The pilgrimage church of Maria Hilf towers 514 meters above sea level on the Mariahilfberg, on the southern edge of the Upper Palatinate district town of Amberg. The Baroque sacred building from the 17th century with its famous miraculous image is a magnet for art lovers as well as pilgrims. The ascent via the Stations of the Cross is part of the ritual for many pilgrims during the Bergfest.
Amberger Bergfest — edition 2026
The 2026 Festival Week at Mariahilfberg
From June 27 to July 5, 2026, the Catholic Filialkirchenstiftung Mariahilfberg-Kirchenstiftung invites you to the traditional pilgrimage week on the hill above Amberg. The Visitation of Mary on July 2nd marks the spiritual highlight of the festival week, framed by eight days of festivities with pilgrim masses, sermons, and festive activities around the pilgrimage church.
Registration for the pilgrimage is via the official website of the church foundation. As usual, individual days are dedicated to specific groups — Youth Day, Seniors' Day, Association Days. Celebrations take place in the beer tent of the Amberg breweries; the smell of bratwurst and incense mingle on the plateau, creating that typical Upper Palatinate pilgrimage atmosphere that has characterized the Bergfest since 1634.
Programme Amberger Bergfest 2026
Structure of the 2026 Festival Week
The detailed program overview for 2026 will typically be published a few weeks before the festival begins by the Mariahilfberg Church Foundation. Experience shows that a Bergfest week usually includes the following components:
- Daily Pilgrim Masses: approx. 8 services per day, including two open-air services at 8:30 AM and 10:00 AM (weather permitting) in front of the pilgrimage church
- Festival Sermon: Every evening, a guest preacher appointed by the Bishop of Regensburg delivers the festival sermon
- Opening June 27: Opening service and commencement of festival activities on the mountain plateau
- Visitation of Mary July 2: Liturgical highlight of the festival week with a solemn high mass
- Themed Days: Youth Day, Seniors' Day, Pilgrimage of Associations, Professional Groups
- Beer Tent: Festival operations of the Amberg breweries around the pilgrimage church
- Candlelight Procession: Traditional conclusion on the last evening of the festival — procession with candles from the city up to the mountain
For current daily schedules and the list of festival preachers for 2026, see mariahilfberg-amberg.de.
Highlights Amberger Bergfest 2026
- Opening June 27, 2026 — Start of the festival week on Mariahilfberg
- Visitation of Mary July 2 — Liturgical highlight with festive high mass
- Festival Sermon by a guest preacher appointed by the bishop each evening
- Candlelight Procession on the last festival evening — impressive candle procession from Amberg to the mountain
- Beer tent of the Amberg breweries — proceeds for the Franciscans on the mountain
Prices Amberger Bergfest 2026
Free admission to all services and the festival grounds. Food and drinks in the beer tent at usual Bavarian Volksfest prices (Mass of beer, bratwurst, cheese, coffee and cake). Donations for the pilgrimage church and the Franciscan monastery are welcome.
Practical information — Amberger Bergfest
Getting there
Car: A6 exit Amberg-West or Amberg-Ost, then follow signs for Mariahilfberg. Parking at the foot of the mountain (limited during the festival week).
Train: Amberg station (Nuremberg–Schwandorf line), from there a walk or city bus.
On foot: Classic ascent via the Stations of the Cross from the city center (approx. 25 min, 514 m above sea level).
Admission and prices
Free admission. Services are open to the public. Food and drinks in the beer tent at usual Volksfest prices — proceeds benefit the Franciscan monastery.
Accommodation
Hotels and guesthouses in the city of Amberg. Book well in advance during the festival week — many pilgrims stay in the city.
Tips
Festival attire is customary. Bring sun protection for open-air services. Don't miss the candlelight procession on the main evening.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Amberger Bergfest al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place Amberger Bergfest
Mariahilfberg / Wallfahrtskirche Maria Hilf