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Tradition and faith: Tölzer Leonhardi ride attracts 10,000 visitors!
Experience the 170th Tölzer Leonhardi ride on November 6, 2025 - a traditional horse pilgrimage in the heart of Bad Tölz.
Tradition and faith: Tölzer Leonhardi ride attracts 10,000 visitors!
On November 6, 2025, the 170th edition of the legendary Leonhardi ride took place in Bad Tölz. The tradition, which has its origins in the 17th century and has been celebrated annually since 1855, proudly attracts locals and guests. In glorious sunshine and with around 10,000 spectators lining the procession's path, the patron saint of animals, Saint Leonard of Limoges, was celebrated. This is more than just a horse pilgrimage; it is also part of UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage, which is emphasized by sueddeutsche.de.
“This is one of the most beautiful days of the year,” enthuses Marinus Zenglere, who, as a team leader from Neufahrn near Egling, got up at 3 a.m. today to prepare his Percheron steeds for the procession. Together with six other helpers, he feeds and cleans the majestic animals. This type of community promotes faith and togetherness among the participants.
Tradition meets values
The Leonhardi ride leads from the Kurviertel over the Isar bridge, through the busy pedestrian zone up to the Kalvarienberg and to the Mühlfeld Church. A highlight was the blessing of 71 teams by city priest Peter Demmelmair, who addressed the urgent access to clean drinking water and dissatisfaction in society in his sermon. “This is a high mass of Bavarian culture,” says Mayor Ingo Mehner, summing up the significance of the event, while former mayor Josef Janker, himself among the spectators, tells anecdotes from his time.
The Leonhardi trip not only attracts locals, but also prominent guests such as Ilse Aigner, President of the Bavarian State Parliament, and Stanislaus Prince of Bavaria, who value the social contact and tradition of the region. Another participant, Max Gast from Warngau, who has already taken part in the Leonhardi trip 81 times, emphasizes the importance of blessing for house and farm.
A look into tradition
The Leonhardi ride, which includes a horse procession and animal blessing, honors the patron saint of agricultural animals and brings deep-rooted traditions to life. In Bavaria there are a variety of Leonhard rides and rides that combine church and cultural aspects on this day. After the pilgrimage, the festival is rounded off with the traditional Leonhardidreschen, also known as Goaßlschnalzen. This shows how alive and valued the intangible cultural heritage is, as also stated by stmfh.bayern.de.
The Tölzer Leonhardi trip is an example of how traditions are kept alive through community and commitment. “There’s something going on,” you might say when you sense the energy and pride of the participants. It is not just a feast for the eyes, but a deep feeling of belonging to a culture that can be seen in the unique stories and experiences.