Friedensfest Gochsheim

A Festival for Peace since 1649

The Friedensfest Gochsheim – also the Gochsheim Kirchweih (church consecration festival) – has commemorated a historic event since 1649: After the Peace of Westphalia in 1648 and a 14-year legal dispute, the villages of Gochsheim and Sennfeld regained their rights as free imperial villages and the freedom of the Protestant confession. Out of gratitude, the Friedens- und Freudenfest (Peace and Joy Festival) has been celebrated every year on the first weekend of September ever since. The municipality of Gochsheim in the Schweinfurt district is the organiser.

Planbaum, Planburschen and Plantanz

The core of the festival begins on Saturday with the fetching and erecting of the fir trees and the Planbaum – a 10 to 15-meter-high decorated fir tree on the Plan (the festival grounds). The Planburschen wear black frock coats, silk crosses, and top hats decorated with colourful ribbons; together with the Planmädchen, they proceed to the Protestant church for the festival service. During the Plantanz, one round each of the Walzer, Rheinländer, Schottisch, and finally a Dreher are danced. A special figure is the Plankehrer, who hops in front of the brass band and displays the Gochsheim coat of arms.

Intangible Cultural Heritage

The Sennfeld and Gochsheim Friedensfest was first included in the Bavarian state register and, at the end of 2016, also in the national register of intangible cultural heritage. It is thus considered one of Germany's outstanding living traditions, uniquely combining Kirchweih customs with the commemoration of the Peace of Westphalia.

Living Tradition in Franconian Wine Country

Gochsheim is located in Franconian Wine Country in the Schweinfurt district. Every year, the Friedensfest attracts several thousand visitors and brings the village community together across almost four centuries. The Grenzsteinfest (Border Stone Festival), Familientag (Family Day), and Nachkirchweih (Post-Kirchweih) in the days following the main festival complement the tradition.