Leonhardiritt Thiersee

A festival of horses

The clopping of hooves can be heard from a long way away. Riders take the colourful procession up the road. Strong horses. Decorated carriages and carts. Tyrolean traditional dress. A procession of horses through the natural Tyrolean landscape of Kufsteinerland. A pilgrimage on horseback. One of the most traditional events of the Tyrolean lowlands. The Leonhardiritt in Thiersee.

A love of horses meets tradition

The pilgrimage on horseback is part of the traditions of southern Germany and Austria. The Leonhardiritt, often also known as the Leonhardifahrt, takes place every year on November 6th or the closest weekend, and honours the holy Leonhard of Limoges. The Benedictine abbot is the patron saint of agricultural animals, especially horses. In Thiersee the traditional event began in 1704 with a vow. To thank the horses for their work, which was very important to the agricultural communities as load and working animals. Today horses remain popular, but for less functional reasons. The animal blessing and procession in Thiersee, one of the eight picturesque villages of Kufsteinerland, connects a love of horses with Tyrolean tradition, customs and the history of the region.

The festival is organised annually by the Noriker breeding association Thiersee. The procession of decorated horses, carts and carriages moves from Mitterland to Hinterthiersee. Traditionally decorated. A real eye-catcher. At the end of the procession, at the Hinterthiersee village square, there is a subsequent animal blessing and colourful programme with a festive atmosphere.