Schneefest Schleid (Maria Schnee)
Largest Vow Festival of the Diocese of Fulda — Pilgrimage since 1626 in the Wartburgkreis
About Schneefest Schleid
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400 Years of Pilgrimage Tradition in the Thuringian Rhön
The Schneefest or Maria Schnee Festival in Schleid is one of the oldest and most significant pilgrimages in Thuringia. Its roots date back to 1626: At that time, the citizens of Schleid vowed to celebrate the Feast of Mary, Snow — August 5th — annually, in thanks for the village's salvation from plague, war, and hunger during the Thirty Years' War. Since then, the vow has been kept year after year. In 2026, the start of the pilgrimage will be 400 years old.
Festival Mass and Pilgrimage Station
The venue is the Maria Schnee Church in Schleid, a district of the municipality of Schleid in the Wartburgkreis at the foot of the Rhön. On August 5th, hundreds of pilgrims from the region gather for the High Mass, the Sacrament Procession, and the Pilgrim's Blessing. The festival is considered the largest vow festival of the Diocese of Fulda — historically, pilgrimage groups from the entire Thuringian-Franconian border region walked to Schleid.
Maria Schnee — the Feast Day on August 5th
Maria Schnee (Our Lady of the Snows) commemorates the legendary miracle of snow in Rome on August 5th, 358, which is said to have led to the founding of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. In Germany, Maria Schnee was an important pilgrimage day, especially in the Catholic south and in the Catholic enclaves of Thuringia, the Rhön, and Eichsfeld.
Schleid and the Catholic Eichsfeld of the Rhön
Schleid is located in the Wartburgkreis district in the state of Thuringia, on the border with Hesse and on the edge of the Rhön. The municipality belongs to the predominantly Catholic strip of Thuringia, which has maintained a strong pilgrimage culture for centuries. Those arriving for the Schneefest can easily combine the visit with a hike in the Rhön, a trip to the Wasserkuppe (Hesse's highest mountain), or the nearby town of Bad Salzungen.
Schneefest Schleid — edition 2026
400 Years of Maria Schnee Pilgrimage
In 2026, the vow of the Schleid citizens for the Maria Schnee pilgrimage will be 400 years old. Since 1626, the festival has been celebrated annually on August 5th — the Feast Day of Mary, Snow. The tradition has been maintained almost uninterrupted through the centuries. The anniversary year will be celebrated as in previous years with a High Mass, a solemn Sacrament Procession, and a Pilgrim's Blessing — the parish community is planning special events around the 400th anniversary.
Feast Day at the Maria Schnee Church
The main venue is the Maria Schnee Church in Schleid. The feast day begins with the Pontifical High Mass, followed by the Sacrament Procession through the village. Pilgrimage groups from the entire Diocese of Fulda and beyond traditionally travel to Schleid on foot or by coach. Food and drinks are served in the festival tent by the parish community and local associations.
Programme Schneefest Schleid 2026
Program Highlights 2026 — Schneefest Schleid (400th Anniversary)
- Wednesday, August 5, 2026 — Feast Day of Mary, Snow:
- Pontifical High Mass in the Maria Schnee Church in the morning
- Solemn Sacrament Procession through the village
- Pilgrim's Blessing for the arriving pilgrimage groups
- Festival tent of the parish community and local associations with regional food and drinks
- 400th Anniversary: Special events surrounding the vow of 1626 (program to be published by the Schleid parish community in the weeks before the festival)
- Organizer: Parish Community Schleid / Diocese of Fulda
Current information on the anniversary program: gemeinde-schleid.de.
Highlights Schneefest Schleid 2026
- 400th Anniversary of the Vow (1626)
- Pontifical High Mass in the Maria Schnee Church
- Sacrament Procession through Schleid
- Pilgrimage groups from the Diocese of Fulda
- Parish festival tent with regional cuisine
Prices Schneefest Schleid 2026
Free admission. Donations for the Schleid parish community are welcome.
Practical information — Schneefest Schleid
Date 2026
Wednesday, August 5, 2026 — Feast Day of Mary, Snow (400th Anniversary of the Vow).
Location
Maria Schnee Church, Schleid, 36419 Schleid (Wartburgkreis, Thuringian Rhön).
Getting There
By car: A4 or A66 to Bad Salzungen, then L1024 to Schleid. By public transport: Vacha or Bad Salzungen train station, then by bus.
Admission
Free. Donations for the parish community are welcome.
Tip
The festival coincides with Maria Schnee, a day of remembrance for Mary in the Catholic calendar. A hike in the Rhön (Wasserkuppe, Hohe Rhön) can be easily combined.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Schneefest Schleid
Maria-Schnee-Kirche, Schleid (Rhön)
Kirche Maria Schnee, 36419 Schleid