THE ERLANGEN BERGKIRCHWEIH

Every June Erlangen hosts the Bergkirchweih, which is an annual fair and beer festival. The Berch, as it is called by the locals (which is the Franconian pronounciation for the German word Berg - meaning mountain or hill), is located in the northern extremities of the town of Erlangen and is roughly a kilometer long (0.6 mi).  And it is only a 5 minute walk from our house. 

With its wooden benches under elm, chestnut and oak tress, it is the biggest open air Biergarten in Europe, with more than 11,000 seats.  The Berg has taken place since 1755.  Roughly a million people - about ten times the population of Erlangen visit this event making it the third largest fair in Bavaria after Oktoberfest in Munich and the Gäubodenvolksfest in Straubing.

The Berg starts on the Thursday before Pentecost at 5pm. The opening ceremony called "Anstich", which is carried out by the town's mayor, takes place in a different beer cellar every year. Thousands gather to watch the opening spectacle hoping to get one of the free beers from the first barrel.



The Antisch!
(sorry - got this photo off the net)


The millions of visitors (mostly aged 16 - 25), many dress up in their lederhosen




Crowned Mister Lederhosen at the Berg
(sorry - got this photo off the net)



and Miss Dirndl
(this one too)



Cute!

 some walk through town from the train station and make their way up to the Berg.



Some ride their bikes....


One of the specially set up bike parking lots!



All dressed up to drink!







This is opening night, but it was like this every night!
Average age - 21



We really couldn't believe the crowds.
But what was nice was the lack of rowdiness.
These young people are taught respect and they
very much respect the police and don't
seem to act out.



The first Friday is Children's Day - I believe all the kids, in Erlangen, are let out of school for the day.



This is the second night....

 The Berg  has beer cellars

biergartens,

booths and




These are gingerbread / Lebkuchen type cookies.
We haven't tried one, but a friend told us they are terribly dry.
I think we will pass.
Booths like this are always found at various fairs
and at the Christmas Markets.

 

Amazing - a game in which you knock over something and you can win a live plant - love it!



Mr. Corn Man - Cute!



Wonderful variety of brezeln
(bread pretzels).
We are hooked on the plain ones.
We can actually by them frozen,
add rock salt, bake them for about 15 min
and then enjoy!

rides - a huge Ferris wheel is the Berg's traditional landmark.



This is a merry go round.
All the seats / animals were made of wood and absolutely gorgeous.


 

It is basically a drinking festival.  In the mornings, if you are up before the street cleaners, you have to watch out for broken glass etc.  I have never seen so many young (drunk) people in one place at one time.

Twelve days later the last beer barrel is buried in the cellar where the next Anstich will take place and everyone (finally) goes home.

Until next year.......

Next blog - Tuscany!!!