Zeulner Freischießen – Schützenfest Marktzeuln

Schützenfest with History

The Schützengesellschaft Marktzeuln hosts the Zeulner Freischießen – a traditional Upper Franconian Schützenfest with a festival tent, shooting competitions, a parade, and several days of festivities. The festival grounds are located at the former shooting range on the outskirts of the market town in the Lichtenfels district (Upper Franconia, Bavaria).

Marktzeuln on the Upper Main

Marktzeuln (around 2,000 inhabitants) is situated in the upper Main valley, about 15 kilometers west of Kronach. The region between Lichtenfels, Coburg, and the Franconian Forest is characterized by a dense network of associations, where marksmen's clubs, traditional costume groups, and fire brigades form the social fabric. The Schützenfest is one of the highlights of this annual cycle.

Tradition from the Marksmen

The tradition of marksmen's associations in Franconia dates back to the Middle Ages. The Freischießen was originally an open competition where non-members could also participate – today, it is primarily a festive tradition with a parade, joint shooting, and the crowning of the marksmen's majesties. The Zeulner Freischießen preserves this tradition in a form that consciously remains locally anchored.