Bad Tölz celebrates the traditional Leonhardi ride on November 6th!

Bad Tölz celebrates the traditional Leonhardi ride on November 6th!

On Thursday, November 6th, Bad Tölz will be the setting for one of Bavaria's most magnificent festivities: the Leonhardi ride. This traditional pilgrimage in honor of St. Leonhard, who is revered as the patron saint of horses and livestock, attracts hundreds of decorated horse teams and thousands of visitors to the old town every year. As the South Germans reports, this event is often associated with logistical challenges for the spa town. Preparations are already in full swing.

The Leonhardi trip has a deep-rooted tradition that dates back to 1442. The first organized pilgrimage took place in Bad Tölz in 1856. In recent decades, the ride through the city has grown more and more and was added to UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage in 2016. The procession, which begins at 9:00 a.m. in the “Badeteil,” the spa district on the left bank of the Isar, offers a colorful spectacle of decorated carriages decorated with colorful ribbons, flowers and traditional ornaments. Fortunately, visitors can show how important this tradition is to them with their own traditional costumes Allgäu ABC is to be experienced.

Logistical preparations and security

The old town will be severely affected on the day of the Leonhardi trip, as several streets such as Marktstrasse and Salzstrasse will be closed from early in the morning. Residents are asked to park their vehicles in good time and to put up festive flags on their houses. A special highlight this year are the newly installed escape route flagpoles in Marktstrasse, which are intended to contribute to the safety of participants.

Parking is also an issue: the parking lot at Schloßplatz is only accessible until 8 a.m. Afterwards, non-resident visitors have the opportunity to use signposted alternative parking spaces. A security measure includes a team of 150 emergency services, consisting of police, fire brigade and other helpers, who are supposed to ensure that everything runs smoothly. In addition, the youth welfare office keeps an eye on the alcohol ban for minors, especially at the Leonhardiwiese on Kalvarienberg.

Visitor information and dogs

If you want to visit the Leonhardi trip, you should prepare well. In addition to comfortable clothing, it is advisable to avoid the dog. Due to the special characteristics of horses, dogs are banned in order to avoid uncontrolled situations as escape animals. Drones are also prohibited during the event for safety reasons.

The Leonhardi trip is not only a great way to connect with local culture, but also a celebratory experience that reflects the piety and customs of the region. The final blessing takes place at the Mühlfeld Church at around 1:00 p.m., which appropriately rounds off the festive day. Visitors are warmly invited to experience the tradition and actively participate in it, emphasizes the City of Bad Tölz.