Landshut Wedding

"LaHo" by Lucebuona

Quick facts

Closest major city/airport: Munich Can be reached by car, taxi, and train (Deutsche Bahn).

Driving distance from Munich to Landshut: 1 hr aproximatedly depending on the traffic, via A92 highway. Driving distance from Munich Airport (Joseph Strauss): 36 to 40 minutes via A92 highway. Train available from the Airport to Landshut Hauptbahnhof, as well.

Historical background

The Landshut Wedding (in German: Landshuter Hochzeit) is one of the largest historical pageants in Europe. In Landshut, Bavaria, Germany, the "Landshuter Wedding 1475" pageant has drawn visitors from around the world. Over 2,000 participants dress in medieval costumes to recreate the Late Middle Ages. It commemorates the wedding between Hedwig Jagiellon, daughter of the King of Poland, and George, the son of the Duke of Bavaria at Landshut.

This medieval festival takes place every four years. Overall, Landshut boasts a rich history, beautiful architecture, and a vibrant cultural celebration. Originally, the wedding service was conducted by Salzburg's Archbishop Bernhard von Rohr in St. Martin's Church. Afterward, the bridal procession proceeded through the Old Town to the Town Hall. Ten thousand people are said to have attended the affair and were provided with food and drink by the young Duke's father.

The first Landshut Wedding recreation took place in 1903, only one year after the creation of the society, "Die Förderer". The recreation took the form of a public play performed by 145 citizens taking on a role.

The Landshut Wedding play was subsequently presented annually from 1903 to 1914 (paused during World War I) and 1922 to 1938 (paused during World War II). During this time the number of actors involved increased to 2000.

The Landshut Wedding became a triennial event from 1950 to 1968 and from 1975 to 1981. From 1985 on, the Landshut Wedding has taken place every four years.

Among the inhabitants of Landshut it is common to refer to the event as "LaHo", since they normally refer to Landshut as "L.A.".

Cool #LaHo Facts:

• The local citizens are the main act since they are the ones bringing to life bishops, aristocrats, knights, soldiers, bride and bridegroom. Without them and their discipline, the festival could not take place.

• The actors are chosen from a commission of the "Die Förderer". Every person who wants to become a member of this association and who wants to take part in this big event has to live in Landshut.

• During the times of the Landshuter Hochzeit, the city center becomes a pedestrian-only zone; visitors approaching by car are informed of this at a 50 km perimeter around the town.

• Given the big efforts taken by the organizers to keep the historical accuracy of the representations, visitors are not permitted to wear medieval-themed outfits but are invited to join in the celebrations dressed in contemporary clothes.

• This well-known medieval festival is expected to take place again in the summer of 2027.

First-time visitor of #LaHo

I must say that ever since I heard from the "Landshuter Hochzeit" back in 2019, I have been looking forward to visiting it! After being delayed due to COVID-19, it finally took place in 2023, and it was way nicer than I expected!

Just the costumes positively surprised me. Then when I saw how the streets in the city center got adapted for the occasion, with decoration and even buildings such as an arena for the knight games and a huge sitting area for the taverns and vendors, I was amazed! The parade was quite impressive also given the large number of participants and their serious commitment to accuracy.

I had only visited a small Medival fair in Belgium before, and it was nothing like this, so if you like representations of historical events and Medival fairs, add the "Landshuter Hochzeit" to your bucket list!

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