Castellum ad Louffi – Medieval Festival Laufen an der Salzach

A Medieval World on the Salzach

Castellum ad Louffi — the Latin name refers to the town's medieval fortress significance — is the annual medieval festival of the town of Laufen on the Salzach. The venue is the Salzach meadow beneath the historic Länderbrücke, the bridge built in the 19th century that connects Laufen with the Austrian town of Oberndorf. The setting — a Salzach river landscape with the medieval old town in the background — is one of the most atmospheric medieval festival locations in Bavaria.

History and Growth of the Festival

The festival has developed into a major event on the southern German medieval market calendar within a few years. Already in 2024, Castellum ad Louffi attracted several thousand visitors per day. As early as 2025, the organization team had to impose a registration freeze for camp groups, artists, and traders — "due to the unexpectedly large number of applications." The same scale is expected for the 2026 edition.

Camp Groups and Medieval Market

At the center are the camp groups: reenactor groups with authentic tents, costumes, craft demonstrations, and scenes of everyday medieval life. Alongside them, traders set up their stalls — from blacksmiths and leatherworkers, glassblowers, furriers, medieval clothing vendors, mead brewers, and honey sellers to medieval food vendors. The festival grounds extend across the entire Salzach meadow, integrating the bridge itself and the lower paths into the staging.

Two Stages, Music, and Shows

Spread across the festival grounds, two stages continuously present the program with concerts and spectacular shows. Announced for 2026 are, among others, Die Schepperer (medieval sounds), Terry der Barde (stories and songs), and Jolandolo vom Birkenschwamm (magic for the whole family). In addition, jugglers, fire performers, belly dancers, and combat reenactment groups perform — the complete lineup will be published on the website in the weeks leading up to the festival.

Children's Program

A dedicated children's program makes the festival particularly attractive for families: archery for children, costume dressing, medieval games, dedicated children's shows, and hands-on craft stations. This distinguishes Castellum ad Louffi from the more adult-oriented large medieval festivals and positions it as a family event.

Laufen an der Salzach

The town of Laufen is located in the Berchtesgadener Land district, directly on the Salzach river, opposite the Austrian town of Oberndorf bei Salzburg (birthplace of the Christmas carol 'Silent Night'). The medieval old town with its narrow alleys, the collegiate church of Maria Himmelfahrt, and the old salt harbor forms an authentic historical backdrop that lends the medieval festival its special atmosphere. In 2024, Laufen and Oberndorf jointly celebrated their 1,275th anniversary — the region actively preserves its historical heritage.