Relive German History With An Authentic Medieval Fair

History comes alive for any visitor to Germany, but if you really want to revel in the old, perhaps you should check out one of the many Renaissance or Medieval Fairs. You’ll feel transported back in time as you learn about life in the old days and have a bit of fun as well. :-)

Kaltenberg Knights’ Tournament

The Kaltenberg Castle in the municipality of Geltendorf (Landsberg District, Upper Bavaria) has been holding its Knights’ Tournament for close to four decades now! The event is hosted by Prince Luitpold and Princess Beatrix of Bavaria, as they invite you to witness a rousing, thrilling jousting tournament.

While the jousting is the main draw, the Castle also boasts a vibrant medieval market as well as a fun-filled parade. The 13th century Kaltenberg Castle is located in the tiny village of the same name, which is just about 45 km (30 mi) west of Munich.

The fun begins every year in July. Get all the pertinent info here.

Medieval Knight Market, Angelbachtal

The venue for this next medieval fair is Eichtersheim Castle in charming Angelbachtal (Rhein-Neckar-Kreis, Baden-Württemberg). Its Mittelalterlicher Rittermarkt, or Medieval Knight Market, is one of Germany’s largest medieval fairs and takes place each year in August (plus, there are a variety of events that occur throughout the year). The festival has expanded and improved each year since its inception in 1994. One of the newer features is an exotic Arab-Jewish section that offers camel rides.

Knights’ Festival at Satzvey Castle

Satzvey Castle is well-known for its special events throughout the year. One of the highlights is their yearly Knights’ Festival. In the town of Mechernich-Satzvey in the Euskirchen District (North Rhine-Westphalia), the Count and Countess Beissel von Gymnich are happy to invite you to their 14th-century home, Burg Satzvey, for a fun, historical festival. The Knights’ Festival features jousting tournaments and a medieval market. If you’re visiting Cologne, Satzvey is an easy 30-45 minute journey.

Visit the castle web site to further plan your trip here.

Medieval Market Ebernburg

This German medieval fair proclaims itself one of the largest, most beautiful and oldest festivals around. With over one hundred booths filled with handicrafts, lively taverns and an assortment of motley medieval characters wandering the grounds, you’re sure to find something to keep you interested at the Medieval Market Ebernburg.

There’s a bath house where you can pamper yourself with the finest, ancient remedies as you await the knights’ tournaments. Other entertainment includes juggling performances, javelin throws, archery competition and historical puppets.

The medieval fun takes place on the third weekend in September. And Bad Münster am Stein-Ebernburg is located in the Bad Kreuznach district in Rhineland-Palatinate.

Tucher Knight Games, Nuremberg

For those seeking to discover the city of Nuremberg’s medieval history, come in August to attend the Tucher Knight Games (Tucher Ritterspiele). This large medieval fair features — of course — knight tournaments. You’ll also see entertainers dressed in costume as traveling minstrels, witches, merchants, handmaidens and other assorted medieval characters during the three-day extravaganza.

See Tucher Spectaculum (German) for more info.

—Marcus