2nd Historical Swedish Procession Überlingen
Historical traditional festival since 1635 commemorating the Swedish siege of 1634
About Swedish Procession Überlingen
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Überlingen, Lake Constance and the Swedish Wars
Überlingen is the largest town on the northern shore of Lake Constance in the Bodenseekreis district (state of Baden-Württemberg) — with around 23,000 inhabitants, one of the most beautiful preserved medieval and early modern old towns in Southern Germany, and one of the most important sacred buildings in the region: the late Gothic Minster of St. Nicholas (construction period 1350–1576). During the Thirty Years' War, Überlingen — as a Catholic imperial city loyal to the Emperor — was the target of multiple Swedish attacks. The Swedish raid of May 1632 and the siege of July 1634 were existential threats; the city survived both, according to its own conviction, thanks to divine assistance.
A Vow from 1635
Out of gratitude for its preservation, the Überlingen council vowed in 1635 to publicly thank divine aid in an annual procession. This vow has been fulfilled twice a year ever since — the 1st Swedish Procession takes place in May in memory of the 1632 raid (2026: May 10), and the 2nd Swedish Procession in July in memory of the 1634 siege (2026: July 12). A tradition that has continued uninterrupted for almost 400 years — even World Wars did not stop the procession.
Course of the Procession
Sunday, July 12, 2026, begins at 8:00 a.m. with the solemn Pontifical High Mass in the Minster of St. Nicholas. Afterwards, at 9:00 a.m., the procession forms and proceeds through the Oberstadt — the historic old town of Überlingen with its half-timbered houses, the town hall, and the Hofgarten.
The Costumes — Colorful Silk Outfits
The special feature of the Swedish Procession is the historical costumes: women and girls in colorful silk dresses with elaborate headdresses lead the procession, followed by citizens in historical attire, clergy in liturgical vestments, and official representatives of the city. The silk costumes are detailed reconstructions of 17th-century attire and are usually passed down in families from generation to generation.
Sword Dance since 1646
The highlight of the procession is the sword dance — a male dance tradition cultivated in Überlingen since 1646. The dance group performs at the end of the procession in a central square, accompanied by drummers and pipers. The dance is highly stylized, with elaborate figures in which the dancers perform formation-like choreographies with real swords. The tradition dates back to medieval and early modern guild rites.
Double Date 2026
- 1st Swedish Procession: Sunday, May 10, 2026 (Commemoration of the 1632 raid)
- 2nd Swedish Procession: Sunday, July 12, 2026 (Commemoration of the 1634 siege)
Swedish Procession Überlingen — edition 2026
Day of Tradition in Historic Überlingen on July 12, 2026
The 2nd Swedish Procession of 2026 — one of the oldest surviving procession traditions in Southern Germany — follows the unchanged course since 1635. At 8:00 a.m., the solemn Pontifical High Mass begins in the late Gothic Minster of St. Nicholas with the participation of the clergy and the city representatives. At 9:00 a.m., the procession forms in front of the Minster and proceeds through the historic Oberstadt of Überlingen.
Women and girls in colorful silk costumes with elaborate headdresses lead the procession, followed by citizens in historical attire, clergy, and official representatives. The highlight is the sword dance, maintained uninterrupted since 1646, performed in a central square of the old town, accompanied by drummers and pipers. The total duration of the event is approx. 2.5 hours.
Programme Swedish Procession Überlingen 2026
Sunday, July 12, 2026 — Schedule
- 8:00 a.m. — Solemn Pontifical High Mass in the Minster of St. Nicholas (with the entire clergy of the parish and the representatives of the city of Überlingen)
- approx. 9:00 a.m. — Start of the procession in front of the Minster
- ~ 2 hours procession route through the Oberstadt:
- Front: Women and girls in colorful silk costumes with headdresses
- Citizens in historical attire
- Clergy in liturgical vestments
- Representatives of the city of Überlingen
- Conclusion — Traditional sword dance in a central old town square (dance group with real swords, accompanied by drummers and pipers, tradition since 1646)
Second Date 2026
- Sun, May 10, 2026 — 1st Swedish Procession (Commemoration of the 1632 raid)
Highlights Swedish Procession Überlingen 2026
- One of the oldest surviving traditional festivals in Southern Germany (since 1635, almost 400 years)
- Double date per year — May (1632 raid) and July (1634 siege)
- Historical silk costumes and headdresses of women and girls
- Sword dance since 1646 as the highlight of the procession
- Solemn Pontifical High Mass in the late Gothic Minster of St. Nicholas
- Tradition in the most valuable preserved old town ensemble on Lake Constance
- Free admission
Prices Swedish Procession Überlingen 2026
Admission to the High Mass and the procession is free. Donations for the St. Nicholas parish are welcome. Afterwards, the restaurants and cafés in the old town invite you to linger.
Practical information — Swedish Procession Überlingen
Getting There
You can reach Überlingen by train — Überlingen-Therme station or Überlingen Mitte station (Bodenseegürtelbahn Friedrichshafen–Radolfzell). By car via the B 31 (Bodensee-Nordufer-Straße). By ship: Überlingen harbor is accessible from Konstanz, Meersburg, and Friedrichshafen via Lake Constance shipping.
Time of the Swedish Procession
Sunday, July 12, 2026 — 8:00 a.m. Pontifical High Mass in the Minster of St. Nicholas, 9:00 a.m. Start of the procession through the Oberstadt. Sword dance at the end of the procession in a central square of the old town. Total duration approx. 2.5 hours.
Admission
Free admission to the High Mass and the procession. Donations for the St. Nicholas parish are welcome.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Swedish Procession Überlingen
Münster St. Nikolaus Überlingen und Altstadtgassen
Münsterplatz, 88662 Überlingen