Leonhardiritt

Leonhardiritt (St. Leonard's Ride)

November 6 or nearest weekend

Also called Leonhardifahrt, this is a celebration of St. Leonhard, the patron saint of horses and cattle, observed in various towns of Bavaria, Germany. Traditionally, processions of elaborately harnessed horses draw decorated wagons to the local church. Some people also bring their cattle to be blessed. A contest of whip-cracking often follows the procession. Among the towns where Leonard's Ride is held are Bad Tölz, Rottenbuch, Bad Füssing, Waldkirchen, and Murnau. November 6 is the name-day of the saint and the traditional day of the procession, but some towns now hold their rides on a weekend near that date.

CONTACTS:
Bayern Tourismus Marketing GmbH
Leopoldstr 146
Munich, 80804 Germany
49-89-212-39-70; fax: 49-89-212-39-799
www.bayern.by/en/index.html

SOURCES:
BkFest-1937, p. 138
BkHolWrld-1986, Nov 6
FestWestEur-1958, p. 75