Schützenfest Altenau

Marksmen Tradition in the Upper Harz

The marksmen's clubs of the Upper Harz look back on a long history. Even in the mining towns of the early modern period, armed citizen militias were part of urban daily life, and they evolved into today's marksmen's societies. Altenau, the highest-lying district of Clausthal-Zellerfeld, cultivates this tradition with an annual summer festival that brings together club members, dignitaries, and guests for three days.

Three Days Between King's Shot and Festival Tent

The program follows the classic pattern of a North German marksmen's festival. On Friday evening, the festival begins with the opening in the festival tent, welcoming speeches, and the first dance evenings. Saturday is dedicated to sporting competition: on the shooting range, the clubs compete for the title of king, and the new dignitaries are celebrated on the king's thrones. On Sunday, the club gathers for the parade, which, accompanied by a brass band, banner bearers, and the king and queen, marches through Altenau, making stops at traditional points.

Embedded in the Upper Harz Marksmen's Calendar

The Schützenfest Altenau is part of a dense network of events organized by the Oberharzer Schützenbund throughout the summer. The Clausthal Marksmen's Society coordinates the dates between Altenau, Clausthal, Zellerfeld, and Buntenbock, allowing the clubs to participate in each other's festivals. This offers guests the opportunity to experience different marksmen's traditions on several consecutive weekends.

Altenau as a Venue

Altenau is located at an altitude of around 450 meters and, together with Clausthal-Zellerfeld, forms the largest town in the Upper Harz. The town is known for its KräuterPark (herb park) and the Innerste dam, as well as its location on the edge of the Harz National Park. The Schützenfest falls during the summer holiday period and brings additional hustle and bustle to the town, which otherwise primarily attracts hikers and mountain bikers.