Ursensollen Vituskirwa

Patronal Kirchweih in the Heart of the Upper Palatinate

The Vituskirwa in Ursensollen is one of the liveliest Kirchweih festivals in the Amberg-Sulzbach district. The Kirwa is celebrated around the feast day of Saint Vitus, the patron saint of the town. The three-day festival is organized by the Kirwagemeinschaft Ursensollen e.V. together with the local fire brigade and the veterans and reservists.

Customs and Program

The centerpiece is the Kirwabaum, which must be guarded by the Kirwa couples from Saturday night to Sunday sunrise to protect it from outsiders. On Kirchweih Sunday, the Kirwa couples dance out the tree in traditional costume. The highlight for the children is the Kirwabärtreiben on Kirwamontag (Kirwa Monday): the Kirwaburschen (Kirwa lads) meet in the morning at the inn, designate the Kirwabär (Kirwa bear), and parade through Ursensollen with him and the Kirwa couples to tease children and sell raffle tickets.

Sociability and Tradition

The spiritual framework is provided by the festive church service on Kirchweih Sunday, which the Kirwa couples attend in traditional costume. With hearty food, brass music, and dancing, the whole village celebrates together for three days – an authentic piece of Upper Palatinate festival culture.

Regional Context

Ursensollen is located in the Amberg-Sulzbach district in the Upper Palatinate administrative region of Bavaria, conveniently accessible via the A6 motorway (Amberg-West exit). The Vituskirwa is firmly anchored in the region's calendar of customs and attracts guests from all over the Amberg area.