Tölzer Leonhardifahrt

One of Upper Bavaria's most significant pilgrimages

The Tölzer Leonhardifahrt dates back to 1772, when the first documented procession took place to the Höhenberg in Tölz. The veneration of St. Leonard as the patron saint of cattle developed between 1743 and 1772 and replaced older invocations of other saints during cattle plagues. Parish priest Joseph Pfaffenberger reorganised the procession in 1855, creating the structure that largely remains in place today. Thus, it became the largest and best-known Leonhardifahrt in Bavaria.

Intangible Cultural Heritage

In 2016, the Tölzer Leonhardifahrt was recognised as Intangible Cultural Heritage at both Bavarian and federal German levels. The recognition highlighted “the identity-forming and integrative significance of the Leonhardifahrt Bad Tölz for an entire region”. November 6th, the feast day of St. Leonard, is an official public holiday in Bad Tölz.

Schedule on the Feast Day

In the early morning, over 70 – around 80 after lining up – festively decorated four-in-hand carriages with magnificently adorned chest and panel wagons, as well as several hundred horses with numerous participants in traditional costume, gather in the spa district. At 9 a.m., the pilgrimage procession sets off, accompanied by the ringing of all Bad Tölz church bells. It proceeds via Badstraße, Isarbrücke, untere Marktstraße, Jägergasse, and the steep Maierbräugasteig up to the Kalvarienberg.

Blessing of Horses on the Kalvarienberg

• Over 70 festively decorated four-in-hand carriages with chest and panel wagons
• Several hundred horses, numerous participants in Upper Bavarian traditional costume
• Circumambulation of the Leonhardi Chapel on the Kalvarienberg
• Blessing of pilgrims and their horses
• Ringing of all Bad Tölz church bells to mark the start

The Tölzer Leonhardifahrt expressly sees itself as living, celebrated folk piety – not a tourist spectacle, but an identity-forming festival for the entire Tölzer Land region in the district of Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen.