May Festival on Siersberg Castle

Siersberg Castle — the most beautiful balcony of the Saargau

Anyone who has hiked the steep path up to Siersberg Castle on a May morning knows why the residents of Rehlingen-Siersburg celebrate their May Festival here and not down in the valley. From the hilltop castle, whose origins date back to the 11th century, the view stretches far over the Saartal, across to Lorraine, and on clear days even to the Vosges mountains. The May Festival at the castle is the traditional kick-off to the BurgSommer (Castle Summer), a series of events that fills the municipality's landmark with music, cinema, stargazing, and folk festivals from May to September.

Relaxed, Regional, Family-Friendly

The concept is deliberately kept simple: no tightly scheduled, high-gloss event, but an open family day where the castle becomes a stage and a tavern from late morning onwards. Clubs from the municipality of Rehlingen-Siersburg take care of the catering, the fire department manages the grill, and the fruit and gardening association taps the kegs. Anyone who experiences May 1st in Saarland knows the scene: colorful ribbons on the Maypole, the aroma of tarte flambée from the wood-fired oven, children romping between the castle walls, and in the center of the castle courtyard, a small stage where the Saarland musician Eddie Gimler traditionally performs from the afternoon onwards.

Culinary Delights: Saargau Meets Moselle

On the menu are classics of Saarland home cooking — Alsatian-style tarte flambée, Schwenker (grilled meat skewers), Hausmacher Wurst (traditional sausage), Lyoner, burgers from the Schwenkgrill (swivel grill) — along with wines from neighboring Hüttersdorf and draft beer. Prices are friendly for a village folk festival, and admission to the castle is free. This is part of the philosophy: the castle should remain an open place for the whole community, not an isolated event spot with wristband control.

The Castle Itself — a Monument in Saarland

Siersberg Castle is located in the Saarlouis district and belongs to the association of Saarland hilltop castles. In the Middle Ages, it was the seat of the Lords of Siersberg, later fiercely contested between Lorraine, France, and the Holy Roman Empire. Today, only a part of the former complex remains — but it is precisely this ruined, ivy-covered wall that constitutes its charm. During events like the May Festival or the later acoustic concert with a view in July, the historic site comes alive without feeling like a museum.

Atmosphere: Dance into May, Saarland Style

While neighbors in Rhineland-Palatinate celebrate the official Maypole raising on April 30th, Siersberg emphasizes May 1st itself — as a daytime festival, not a dance-into-May disco. This suits the region: Saarland has a strong Catholic influence, May 1st is Labour Day and also a family day. Young families, hiking groups, motorcyclists arriving in convoys, and the club life of the Saargau meet at the castle for a festive day where no one feels like they're missing out.