Tillyfest Breitenbrunn

Tilly and Breitenbrunn – The Historical Connection

Johann Tserclaes, Count of Tilly (1559–1632) was one of the most significant generals of the Thirty Years' War and commander-in-chief of the armies of the Catholic League. For his services, Elector Maximilian I of Bavaria granted him the lordship of Breitenbrunn as a fief in 1623. To this day, the market's main street bears the name 'Von-Tilly-Straße'. From this connection, Breitenbrunn has forged a unique historical festival that takes place every two years.

A Village Becomes a Military Camp

During the Tillyfest, the entire village center transforms into a 17th-century camp: tents, wagons, campfires, blacksmith workshops, cookshops, soldiers' quarters. Swedish dragoons, Bavarian cuirassiers, Landsknechte, minstrels, Roma groups, camp followers, and clergy of the Catholic League populate the streets and squares. The collaborative reenactment by historical groups from all over Germany lends the festival an authenticity that far surpasses most medieval markets.

Highlights – Storming the Market Square and Parade

The most spectacular moments include the storming of the market square, with the thunder of cannons, smoking guns, and dancing sparks; the nocturnal fire spectacle; and the grand Historical Parade on Sunday afternoon, in which Count Tilly rides through Breitenbrunn on horseback, followed by hundreds of reenactors in authentic costume. For children, there is a Children's Tournament, where the little ones can try their hand at archery, sword fighting, and camp games.

Monastery Beer and Thirty Years' War Cuisine

Gastronomically, the cuisine of the era dominates: Klosterbier (monastery beer) from regional breweries, steins of dark beer, spit-roasted suckling pig, mutton ragout, dark bread, baked cheese, onion-flesh stew. Wooden benches and tables, no plastic tableware – only clay, wood, and metal.

Breitenbrunn – Market Town in the Altmühltal

Breitenbrunn is located in the Neumarkt district of the Upper Palatinate, nestled within the Altmühltal Nature Park. The town has about 2,300 inhabitants – small enough for the entire village to be involved in the festival: clubs, schools, inns, landowners. The Tillyfest is one of the largest historical festivals in the Upper Palatinate, attracting tens of thousands of visitors from Bavaria, Franconia, and even the Czech Republic.

A Tradition That Remains Authentic

The Tillyfest distinguishes itself from commercial medieval markets through its historical precision: no fantasy knights, no dragons, no Mc-Mead stands – but a very specific 17th-century era with historical sources, authentic clothing, and original weapons. This gives the festival its special character.