Kirchweih Rüdenhausen

A Kirchweih in the Castle Park — for Centuries

Rüdenhausen is a market community of about 1,000 inhabitants in the Kitzingen district on the western edge of the Steigerwald. The princely family Castell-Rüdenhausen, one of the oldest imperial immediate noble families in Franconia, has resided here for centuries. The castle is located on the southern edge of the village and remains the family seat to this day. For generations, the Kirchweih has used the princely Schlosspark — a landscape garden with winding paths, old tree groups, and castle views — as its festival stage.

The Fraternity as Organizers

The organizers are the Market of Rüdenhausen and the Rüdenhausen Fraternity, which traditionally organizes the Kirchweih. The fraternity members carry the Kirchweih through — from setting up the Kirchweih tree to the civic procession on the festival Tuesday. This unbreakable bond between the fraternity and the Kirchweih is characteristic of Franconian Kirchweih culture and keeps the tradition alive over the centuries.

Program — Five Days of Festivities

The festival week begins on Sunday with a festival service and Kirchweih sermon in the castle, followed by the Kirchweih opening. Monday is the traditional Schlosstanz (castle dance) in the Fürstlich Castell'sche Schlosspark — the highlight for younger festival guests and those who love to dance. The Kirchweih-Dämmerschoppen (evening drinks) in the middle of the week brings citizens and guests together in a convivial atmosphere, followed by the atmospheric Kirchweih procession with fraternity members, clubs, and the civic guard.

Civic Ball as Festival Finale

The festive conclusion is the Bürgerball (civic ball) — a refined social event with music, dancing, and the classic etiquette of a Franconian castle Kirchweih. Traditional attire and festive clothing are encouraged. On the festival Tuesday, the fraternity members, the civic guard, and the clubs parade through the market during the Bürgerauszug — followed by a traditional shooting competition in the Schlosspark.

In the Castell Realm on the Steigerwald

Rüdenhausen lies at the beginning of the Casteller wine landscape and is part of the Steigerwald wine panorama. Those arriving for the Kirchweih can combine their visit with trips to the Casteller winery, a walk in the Schlosspark, or a tour to the neighboring Castell (ancestral seat of the House of Castell-Castell). With the Weinkeller im Schloss (wine cellar in the castle), open every Friday from 6 p.m., there is also a culinary addition outside the festival week.