Miesberg-Kirwa Schwarzenfeld

One of the most famous Kirchweihen in the Oberpfalz

The Oberpfalz is the German state with the most vibrant Kirchweih tradition — almost every municipality has its own "Kirwa" with Kirwabaum, festival band, and traditional costume dance. The Miesberg-Kirwa in Schwarzenfeld holds a special position: it combines a local pilgrimage moment (the Trinity Church on the Miesberg is a well-known pilgrimage church) with the secular folk festival tradition of the Oberpfalz village Kirwa.

The Miesberg above Schwarzenfeld

The Miesberg rises west of Schwarzenfeld on the Naab river. On the mountain stand the baroque Trinity Church (a famous pilgrimage church), the former Carmelite monastery, and the Miesberg Stations of the Cross. The site has been a religious center of the Naab valley since the 17th century. The Kirwa on the last weekend in May combines this spiritual heritage with secular customs — a typical characteristic of Oberpfalz patron saint festivals.

Kirwabaum Raising on Saturday

The defining event of Saturday afternoon is the Kirwabaum parade: at 3:00 PM, a procession of traditional costume groups, a music band, the Schwarzenfeld traditional costume association "D'Miesbergler", and the decorated Kirwabaum (a tall, debarked spruce with a wreath and ribbons at the top) forms at the fire station. The procession moves through the town and up to the Miesberg. There, the tree is erected with traditional teamwork — poles, ropes, and a well-rehearsed choreography. Afterwards, the traditional costume dancers of D'Miesbergler perform, and Rötzer and Augustiner beer are served from the surrounding festival stalls.

Festive Church Service on Sunday

Sunday begins with a solemn festive church service at 10:00 AM in the Trinity Church on the Miesberg. The pilgrimage church is often filled to capacity; many worshippers come from the entire Naab valley and the Schwandorf region. After the service, the market continues on the Miesberg: stalls with Oberpfalz delicacies (sausages, burgers, traditional Bavarian dishes), a tombola, and a family program.

Schwarzenfeld on the Naab

The market town of Schwarzenfeld is located in the district of Schwandorf in the administrative region of Upper Palatinate, on the A 93 motorway between Regensburg and Weiden. With around 5,500 inhabitants, Schwarzenfeld is a classic Naab valley market town — the Miesberg-Kirwa is one of the municipality's three most important summer major events.