Traunstein Georgiritt and Sword Dance

One of Bavaria's Largest Horse Pilgrimages

The Traunstein Georgiritt is one of Bavaria's largest horse pilgrimages and takes place annually on Easter Monday in the Upper Bavarian district town of Traunstein (Traunstein district, Bavaria). The ride attracts over 400 horses, riders, and festively decorated carriages from Traunstein's town square to the Ettendorf pilgrimage church on the hills above the town. There, horses and riders are solemnly blessed – a custom practiced for centuries and associated with the veneration of Saint George.

Sword Dance Since 1530

In addition to the ride, the highlight of the festival is the historic sword dance, whose roots date back to 1530. The Traunstein youth club performs the dance twice on Easter Monday – at 9:30 AM and 2:00 PM – in the town square. The sword dance symbolically represents the victory of spring over winter, depicted in choreographed formations with swords. Also part of the choreography is the "Reifenschwinger" (hoop dancer), who visualizes the message of spring with a hoop adorned with ribbons.

Program on Easter Monday

The festival program follows a fixed schedule, maintained for generations:

• 9:30 AM – Sword dance in Traunstein town square
• 10:00 AM – Assembly and start of the Georgiritt from the town square towards Ettendorf
• Midday – Blessing of horses at the Ettendorf church, festive church service
• 2:00 PM – Repeat performance of the sword dance in the town square

The procession is accompanied by historical groups in traditional costume, music bands, and associations from Traunstein and the Chiemgau region.

Intangible Cultural Heritage Since 2016

In 2016, the Georgiritt and the historic sword dance were added to the national register of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the German UNESCO Commission. This officially recognized the intergenerational preservation of the custom by the St. Georgs-Verein Traunstein, the Burschenverein, the St. Oswald parish, and the town of Traunstein as culturally worthy of protection.

Traunstein and the Chiemgau

With around 21,000 inhabitants, Traunstein is a district town in the Chiemgau region (Upper Bavaria, Bavaria), the seat of the Traunstein district administration, and the cultural center of the region between Chiemsee and Salzburg. The Georgiritt is a tourist attraction beyond the town itself, drawing visitors from Bavaria, Salzburg, and all over southern Germany.