Kirmes Otzenhausen

Otzenhausen – the Hunnenring Village

Otzenhausen is a district of the municipality of Nonnweiler in the district of St. Wendel and is internationally known for the Hunnenring – a Celtic ring fort from the 1st century BC, which is one of the largest preserved Celtic fortifications in Central Europe. Today, the site is part of the Otzenhausen Celtic Park, a tourist highlight of Saarland. The village itself maintains a lively club life with its annual Kirmes.

Village Fair in August

The Kirmes Otzenhausen traditionally takes place in August, often around August 15th (Assumption Day) – a Catholic holiday of particular significance in the Catholic Saarland. The organiser is the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Otzenhausener Vereine (AGOV e.V.), an association of local clubs that jointly organise and finance the festival.

Programme with Tradition

Like many village fairs in Saarland, Otzenhausen follows a traditional schedule. The opening is often marked by the keg tapping by the marksmen – a symbolic act that kicks off the festival. Spread over several days are live music, the Kirmes Olympiad (skill games between clubs or teams), and the Schock tournament, a dice game very popular in Saarland. A Family Day with reduced prices and a family programme is firmly established.

Hunnenring as a Backdrop

Anyone visiting the Kirmes should plan a walk to the Hunnenring – the mighty stone ramparts of the Celtic fortress are only a few hundred metres from the village. The adjacent Celtic Village reconstructs life in the Iron Age and is an educational excursion for families.

In the Saar-Hunsrück Nature Park

Otzenhausen is located in the Saar-Hunsrück Nature Park, one of the most wooded regions in Germany. Its high altitude (approx. 600 m above sea level) and unspoiled landscape make the region a popular hiking paradise. The Kirmes provides an occasion to explore the area in perfect summer weather.