The ceremonial tradition of the Miners’ Festival in and around the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine dates back more than 500 years. Be there as the miners celebrate their grand festival—all in honor of the Alpine salt drawn from the depths of the Berchtesgaden Salzberg.
The festivities begin on Pentecost Sunday with a concert by the miners’ band at Schlossplatz, followed by a traditional parade through the center of Berchtesgaden. Early the next morning, on Pentecost Monday — the main day of celebration — the sounds of music once again fill the streets as the miners’ band performs a wake-up call and leads another festive procession through town.
The ceremonial entry into the salt mine that follows is reserved exclusively for the miners. Afterwards, the large parade makes its way toward Stiftskirche. Join the celebrations as miners and musicians continue through the streets of Berchtesgaden after the thanksgiving service and experience the miners up close in their impressive traditional uniforms. They carry historic mining tools such as climbing irons, hammers, horns, hooks, and mining axes. The longest-serving miner bears the guild symbol of the miners—the Bergmanndl.
Schedule of the Pentecost Monday parade
Following a ceremonial gathering underground for employees and invited guests, the miners march from the salt mine at 10:00 AM along Salzburger Straße through Nonntal to Stiftskirche, where the thanksgiving service begins at 10:30 AM. At around 11:30 AM, the large parade continues through the historic center to Hofbrauhaus, where the procession concludes.
Please note: the salt mine is closed to visitors on this day.
