Ritter Recken Heldenspiele

Tambach-Dietharz — Gateway to the Thuringian Forest

Tambach-Dietharz is a small town on the northern edge of the Thuringian Forest in the Gotha district. With around 4,000 inhabitants, it is manageable but uniquely situated geographically: this is where the low mountain range begins, and the Rennsteig — Germany's most famous long-distance hiking trail — runs a few kilometers to the south. The nearby Alte Gothaer Talsperre (site of the annual reservoir concert by the Thüringen Philharmonie Gotha-Eisenach) and the Apfelstädt reservoir make the town a popular hiking destination. The Ochsenwiese on the outskirts is a large festival meadow area — ideal for multi-day medieval festivals with historical camps.

Medieval Association Authentica Castrum Walinvels

The organizer is the medieval association Authentica Castrum Walinvels e. V. — an association dedicated to the historically authentic reconstruction of medieval life. The association's name (Walinvels = Latin variant of Tambach-Dietharz in the Thuringian Forest) signals its claim: not fantasy medieval, but historically based depictions of various eras — from the Carolingian period through the High Middle Ages to the Renaissance. The Heldenspiele on the Ochsenwiese is its most important annual event, attracting camp and combat groups from all over Germany and sometimes abroad.

Bridge Battle and Feuerwulf

The most spectacular program highlight is the bridge battle (Brückenschlacht): on a specially constructed bridge, fully armored warriors fight with swords, axes, and shields according to the «Codex Tambach» — a rulebook for historical full-contact combat. The show is not staged but is genuine competition — accordingly loud, hard, and fascinating. In addition, the Asgard group presents falconry and horse shows, several bands play music influenced by the Middle Ages (Tacki & Noisly, Schabernackrakeel, Feuerwulf, Deus Cult), and on Saturday evening at 10:30 PM, the spectacular fire show begins — fire eating, torch dancing, fire acrobatics.

Camps, Archers, Children's Program

Several historical camps from different eras are spread across the Ochsenwiese — from Viking-era tent accommodations and High Medieval noble tents to Late Medieval artisan camps. Blacksmiths, potters, basket weavers, bow makers, and leatherworkers work live before the eyes of visitors. An archery tournament is open to visitors and camp groups. There is a special program for children: archery with child-friendly equipment, falconry demonstrations, pony rides, small hands-on activities — children under "sword length" (a traditional unit of measurement) have free admission.

Thuringian Forest, Gotha, Rennsteig

The Gotha district, with the historic ducal city of Gotha (Friedenstein Castle) and the southern Thuringian Forest, is a district characterized by tourism. The Ritter Recken Heldenspiele is its most important summer event in the medieval genre. Those who want to extend their festival visit can combine it with a hike on the Rennsteig, a visit to the Drei Gleichen (three famous castles east of Gotha), or the Inselsberg — the highest mountain in the northern Thuringian Forest. Within the state of Thuringia, the Heldenspiele are among the largest historical festivals, alongside the medieval market at Tenneberg Castle in Waltershausen and the Peasants' War spectacle in Mühlhausen.