Ritterschauspiele Kiefersfelden – Ubald von Sternenburg

Folk Theatre since 1618

The Ritterschauspiele Kiefersfelden are one of the oldest continuously performed folk theatres in the German-speaking world: Since 1618 – that is, for over 400 years – citizens of the Upper Bavarian border community in the Inn Valley have been staging knightly plays. The Theatergemeinde Kiefersfelden e.V. is the patron, whose members are exclusively amateur actors.

Form and Style

The plays follow a unique tradition of Bavarian-Tyrolean folk theatre: in three acts with two intermissions, spoken in a powerful mix of High German and dialect, with heroes, villains, lovers, and a clear moral. The performances last around three hours. The stage, the Ritterschauspielhaus hall, is a pure theatre venue – without tourist backdrops, but with a high level of craftsmanship that generations of Kiefersfelden families have cultivated.

2026: Ubald von Sternenburg

In 2026, the play "Ubald von Sternenburg oder der Rächer am Totensarg" will be performed – a classic knightly play with intrigue, revenge, love, and combative confrontations. The premiere is on August 1st, 2026, followed by eight more performances in August.

Kiefersfelden and the Inn Valley

Kiefersfelden is a community of around 7,300 inhabitants in the Rosenheim district (Upper Bavaria, Bavaria), directly on the border with Austria. Its strategic location on the Inn river and at the crossing between the Inn Valley and Tyrol makes the community a historically significant place with a rich theatrical tradition.