Straubing Pilgrimage to Altötting

Pentecost Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Grace

The Straubing Pilgrimage to Altötting is one of Lower Bavaria's traditional Pentecost pilgrimages. The destination is the most important Marian pilgrimage site in the German-speaking world: the Chapel of Grace in Altötting, in the district of the same name (Bavaria), where the "Black Madonna" is venerated. Several major foot pilgrimages converge on Altötting over Pentecost – the Straubing one is one of them.

The Route from Straubing to Altötting

Departure is on Pentecost Friday at 11:00 PM with a solemn send-off at Ludwigsplatz in Straubing. The route leads overnight and through the following days via the rest and stopover points of Landau, Malgersdorf, Falkenberg, and Reischach; pilgrims organize their overnight stay in Eggenfelden independently. On Pentecost Sunday, the pilgrimage reaches Altötting, where the procession to the Chapel of Grace forms the climax.

Community and Faith

Each year, the pilgrimage is guided by a spiritual theme; it is understood as a path of hope – "Whoever hopes and can hope, can be of good cheer." Citizens from the city and district of Straubing-Bogen, as well as all interested individuals, can participate; no registration is required. The Malteser Hilfsdienst Straubing accompanies the pilgrims with volunteers and a doctor and provides medical and wound care at all rest stops. Vehicles for luggage transport are available to a limited extent.

Living Popular Piety in Lower Bavaria

The foot pilgrimage is an expression of centuries-old Lower Bavarian popular piety. Walking, praying, and singing together over many kilometers unites the pilgrim community – a powerful testament to lived tradition between Straubing and the shrine of grace in Altötting.