Nachkirmes Mellingen

A Tradition Dating Back to 1609

The market rights of the municipality of Mellingen date back to 1609, when the town was first allowed to hold an annual fair on the Sunday «Rogate». Over the centuries, this privilege evolved into the famous Kritzekrebsmarkt — named after the May beetle, which was formerly called «Kritzekrebs» in the Ilm valley. A metal May beetle symbol still hangs at the festival grounds on the Anger to this day. The actual Mellinger Kirmes now lasts five days around Ascension Day. One week later, on Whit Sunday, the Nachkirmes follows as a convivial Frühschoppen closing.

At the Malzdarre — The Historic Festival Grounds

The Nachkirmes takes place on the festival grounds «An der Malzdarre», a historic commercial site in the heart of Mellingen. A Malzdarre was formerly a smoking and drying facility for malting barley — the place name is a reminder that Mellingen maintained a brewing tradition for centuries. Today, the Malzdarre has become the central festival grounds. A brass band plays for four hours, the grill is burning, there is beer «according to the Bavarian Purity Law from Thuringia» — as it is affectionately stated on the event poster — as well as Bratwurst, Schnitzel, and homemade specialties.

Frühschoppen Tradition in Weimarer Land

The Frühschoppen is a widespread tradition in Central Germany: on Sunday mornings, the village gathers, often after church, for drinking, talking, and eating — before noon calls for the Sunday family meal. The Nachkirmes Mellingen is a prime example: no carousels, no advertising, no admission control. Those who come sit on beer benches, meet neighbors from Weimarer Land, and celebrate the end of the festival days with a Maß (liter mug) of beer and Bratwurst. The event lasts exactly four hours and is part of the fixed rhythm of Mellingen's life.

Mellingen — Brewery Village in the Ilm Valley

Mellingen is located in the south of the Weimarer Land district in the state of Thuringia, about ten kilometers south of Weimar in the Ilm valley. The municipality, with around 2,000 inhabitants, is one of the oldest documented settlements in the region. Visitors to the Nachkirmes can combine the day with a hike along the Ilm and a detour to the nearby Tonndorf Castle or to Weimar — Mellingen is well-connected by transport but rural enough to feel the atmosphere of a genuine Frühschoppen.