Pfingstwallfahrt Marienweiher
High festival of the pilgrimage at Bavaria's oldest Marian pilgrimage site
About Pfingstwallfahrt Marienweiher
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High Festival of the Pilgrimage in the Franconian Forest
The Pfingstwallfahrt Marienweiher is the high festival of the pilgrimage year at one of Germany's oldest pilgrimage sites. In the Marienweiher district of the market town of Marktleugast (Kulmbach district, Bavaria), pilgrims gather on Pentecost at the pilgrimage basilica of Mariä Heimsuchung to venerate the Gothic grace image of the Mother of God. Marienweiher is considered the oldest Marian pilgrimage site in Bavaria – even older than Altötting.
Pilgrim Groups from All Over Franconia
Even on the eve and in the early morning hours, pilgrim groups enter the village singing and praying. Over 60 parishes from Upper Franconia and the Upper Palatinate regularly organize pilgrimages to Marienweiher; on Pentecost, over twelve groups with several hundred pilgrims come together. Some cover the last kilometers on foot, while others travel by bus to attend the festive services.
Candlelight Procession and Festive Service
Highlights include the solemn pontifical masses in the baroque basilica and the candlelight procession through the village streets. The Pentecost pilgrimage combines old Franconian piety with the character of a major faith festival – Pentecost has truly remained 'a religious festival' here in the truest sense. The Franciscan Friars Minor, who have been providing pastoral care at the pilgrimage site for centuries, shape the style as open, inviting, and distinctly popular.
History of the Pilgrimage Site
Marienweiher is among Germany's oldest pilgrimage sites. At its heart is a late Gothic grace image of the Mother of God from the 15th century, venerated in the baroque basilica of Mariä Heimsuchung. Around 5,000 pilgrims visit Marienweiher annually; the crowds are largest on Pentecost and the weekend after the Nativity of Mary (September 8th).
Marktleugast and the Franconian Forest
The pilgrimage site is located in the Franconian Forest between Bayreuth and Hof, in the midst of a scenically attractive low mountain range region. Marienweiher is a district of the market town of Marktleugast in the Kulmbach district. Two traditional inns offer Franconian cuisine and accommodation, and private families also rent out rooms to pilgrims.
Pfingstwallfahrt Marienweiher — edition 2026
The high festival of the Pfingstwallfahrt Marienweiher 2026 falls on the Pentecost weekend from May 23 to 25, 2026. Starting on Pentecost Saturday, the first pilgrim groups from the parishes of Upper Franconia and the Upper Palatinate will arrive. Some come classically on foot, others by bus and car. The Franciscan Friars Minor, as chaplains at the pilgrimage site, will welcome the groups and celebrate the pilgrim service with them.
The highlight will be Pentecost Sunday with the high pontifical mass in the Basilica of Mariä Heimsuchung and the traditional candlelight procession in the evening. The Pentecost pilgrimage 2026 is expected to draw several hundred pilgrims from Franconia and the Upper Palatinate, including over twelve organized pilgrim groups. On Pentecost Monday, additional pilgrims and families will join the flow of the faithful.
The exact service times and special events will be announced on the basilica's website (basilika-marienweiher.de). Admission is free; accommodation in Marienweiher and Marktleugast should be booked well in advance for Pentecost.
Programme Pfingstwallfahrt Marienweiher 2026
Saturday, May 23, 2026
- Arrival of the first pilgrim groups
- Pilgrim services in the Basilica of Mariä Heimsuchung
- Vigil Mass for the Feast of Pentecost
Sunday, May 24, 2026 (High Festival)
- Solemn High Mass in the pilgrimage basilica
- Reception of pilgrim groups from Upper Franconia and the Upper Palatinate
- Opportunities for confession and blessing of pilgrims
- Candlelight procession in the evening through the streets of Marienweiher
Monday, May 25, 2026
- Further pilgrim masses and devotions
- Confessions and personal conversations with the Franciscans
- Winding down in the pilgrimage site and in the surrounding inns
Highlights Pfingstwallfahrt Marienweiher 2026
- Pontifical Mass on Pentecost Sunday in the baroque basilica
- Candlelight procession through Marienweiher
- Arrival of over 12 pilgrim groups from Upper Franconia and the Upper Palatinate
- Veneration of the late Gothic grace image of the Mother of God
- Pastoral care by the Franciscan Friars Minor
Prices Pfingstwallfahrt Marienweiher 2026
Admission to the pilgrimage and all services in Marienweiher is free. Collections for the benefit of the basilica and pilgrimage pastoral care are requested. Overnight stays in inns or with private landlords are charged separately and should be booked well in advance.
Practical information — Pfingstwallfahrt Marienweiher
Getting There
By train to Bayreuth or Hof, then continue by bus or car into the Franconian Forest. By car via the A9 (exit Bad Berneck) or the A70 (exit Kulmbach), then follow signs for Marktleugast / Marienweiher.
Admission
Admission to the pilgrimage and all services is free. Collections and donations for the preservation of the basilica are welcome.
Notes for Pilgrims
Sturdy footwear and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended. Accommodation is available in the village inns and from private landlords – early booking is advisable on Pentecost.
Contact
Wallfahrtsbasilika Mariä Heimsuchung, Franziskaner-Minoriten, Marienweiher, 95352 Marktleugast. Current program available at basilika-marienweiher.de.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Pfingstwallfahrt Marienweiher al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place Pfingstwallfahrt Marienweiher
Wallfahrtsbasilika Mariä Heimsuchung Marienweiher
Hauptstraße, 95352 Marktleugast