“Bergkirchweih” is calling

Every year before Pentecost there is traditionally a very special hustle and bustle in the university town Erlangen: the Bergkirchweih on the Burgberg in the north of Erlangen, which is known far beyond the city limits. Cold beer, wild rides and plenty of good spirits attract young and old up the mountain from all directions. Students are looking forward to the end of the teaching day, adults are taking a vacation or going “to the Berch” with their colleagues.

Do’s

Traditional Erlangen Bergkirchweih costume: old sneakers, jeans and rain jacket; A red and white checkered shirt is the ultimate feeling
Leaving the car behind and take the bus to the Bergkirchweih
Taking advantage of family day offers with children (2nd Bergkirchweih Thursday)
Tipping the waitresses in the cellars
to ride the Ferris wheel
Eating a Gulden pretzel
Planning to wait at the toilets

Don’ts

Taking the dog with you
Appearing in Bavarian costume (we are in Franconia after all!)
Putting on high heels or white sneakers
Bringing alcohol
Don’t pay attention to the stone beer mug -> the deposit is returned
Trying to get as close as possible by car
Drinking too much beer

The history of the Erlanger Bergkirchweih

The Bergkirchweih in Erlangen developed from the traditional Whitsun market, which was first relocated in 1755 around the old town shooting house on Burgberg. What was practical about this venue was that the rock vaults of the beer cellars were located in the immediate vicinity in the mountain, where until the early 20th century the beer was stored to mature and then served to thirsty visitors at the church fair. As a result, the Bergkirchweih attracted more and more onlookers and has taken place almost every year since 1755. This means that the Bergkirchweih is significantly older than the Munich “Wiesn”!

Colorful hustle and bustle

Nobody goes to the shooting house these days, but on the Thursday before Pentecost from 5 p.m. the starting signal for the fifth Erlangen season is still given: as custom dictates, the mayor of Erlangen is allowed to tap the first barrel of festival beer at the so-called “tapping”. This is then distributed to the waiting crowd in the popular steins with the logos of the 15 beer cellars. And then it goes around the Erlanger Burgberg for 12 days: on the weekends, when the weather is particularly nice, it is sometimes only possible to get through very slowly, because a total of more than a million people stream across the site. That’s ten times as many people as the city of Erlangen has! During the day you will mainly find families with children at the many lottery booths and wild rides. A ride on the Europarad, the largest transportable Ferris wheel in the world, is less wild. If you don’t have a head for heights, you shouldn’t miss this! In the evening there is live music in the western part of the festival street until everyone stands on the tables holding each other in their arms – or at least swaying along…

Not just for party fans

Musically there is something for everyone, as the spectrum ranges from classics like “Que sera, sera” to “Hulapalu” or “Atemlos” and therefore reflects the diversity of Bergkirchweih visitors very well. Despite the always exuberant atmosphere, the fun ends at 11 p.m. sharp: if you want to continue partying, you can head down to the clubs in downtown Erlangen for one of the so-called after-Bergkirchweih parties.

But if you want to take it a little more leisurely, you can also end the day in a convivial atmosphere under the linden trees, chestnuts and oaks decorated with lanterns with a pint of beer. Bringing your own snack is expressly permitted!

The Beer

The many different types of beer on the “Berch”, such as Tucher or Mönchshof, are now only stored in the entrances to the beer cellars for this festival. Unfortunately, only the Entlas beer at the Bergkirchweih now comes from the Entlas cellar and the Steinbach brewery from Erlangen. Because the Huguenot city, with its cool beer cellars in the mountain, no longer has a home advantage in the beer trade as it did until modern cooling technology was invented at the end of the 19th century.

Shhh!

Insider tip: There is a live Berchcam so you can estimate how crowded the site is before your visit. There is also further information about the Bergkirchweih rules on this official website, because for several years visitors’ bags have been checked at the entrance for alcohol or prohibited items.

Until next year!

On the last evening, at 11 p.m., the last beer barrel is symbolically buried at the Erich-Keller to the sounds of “Lili Marleen,” while the visitors sing along loudly and wave white handkerchiefs in a sad farewell. “Best mood Erich Keller” simply. Until next year!