Wallensteintage Stralsund

Stralsund in the Thirty Years' War

The Wallensteintage recount a significant chapter of the city's history: in 1628, the imperial field marshal Albrecht von Wallenstein besieged the Hanseatic city of Stralsund. But the city held its ground – the successful defense is still considered a turning point in the Thirty Years' War and a source of identity for Stralsund. The Wallensteintage commemorate this historical event every year in July.

Northern Germany's Largest Historical Folk Festival

For several days, Stralsund's old town transforms into a 17th-century stage. Thousands of participants in historical costumes populate the alleys and squares. The program is dense and diverse:

• Festival Parade through the old town, starting at Neuer Markt
• Plague Procession in the evening – an impressive commemoration of the Black Death
• Cuirassier Riding Games on the Hansawiese meadow
• Baroque Fireworks Display at the historic town hall
• Landsknecht camp offering insights into soldier life
• historical market bustle from the old town to Kniepertor
• stage programs with music and theater

History to Experience

The Wallensteintage are far more than a medieval spectacle: they are a vibrant form of historical education. The Stralsund Traditionsverein (traditional association) and numerous groups ensure historical accuracy and great enthusiasm. Visitors to the festival experience city history with all their senses.

Stralsund in the Vorpommern-Rügen District

The UNESCO World Heritage Hanseatic city of Stralsund is the district capital in Vorpommern-Rügen and the gateway to the island of Rügen. The Wallensteintage are its biggest festival – with free admission and a radiance that attracts visitors from all over Northern Germany.