Kaltenberg Ritterturnier, every weekend in July

You may have seen adverts for this up in the U-bahn - but if not it's worth mentioning.

The Kaltenberg Knights tournament starts is on each weekend throughout July.

There is a medieval village set up in the grounds that you can wander around - you can see all different kinds of crafts - people all dressed the part - jesters - there's eating and drinking aplenty - and it culminates in a show in the main arena involving all manner of horse riding skills, including jousting - set against a story, usually good knights v bad knights.

You will need to book your tickets in advance as the shows can get sold out.

I was there last year and enjoyed it - although the weather and alcohol may have helped a little in that regard.

If you've been to Tollwood once too often already, or you think it might be a nice experience for the kids ...

Here is the website in German

and here is the website in English ... there's less info on the english one but still enough to get you by.

and if you don't know where Kaltenberg is ...

...

I would recommend this too.

Avoid! Unless you have kids, do not visit this place. It used to be great, up to about 10 years ago. But Prince Poldi of Bavaria has become increasingly greedy, and now all that's left of a once lovely medieval festival is an overpriced Middle Ages Disneyland. Yuck.

If you're keen on a beautiful historic festival, try Neuburg next weekend: http://www.schlossfest.de/index.php

Or any other place for that matter. But forget Kaltenberg.

Servus!

A friend and I art off to the Kaltenburg Ritterturnier on Fri 18th July. We are going to the Jesters Night, couchsurfing with friends out there then going to the tournament the next day. Perhaps returning on Sat afternoon/evening or staying out there and returning Sun morning. If anyone else in Munich is travelling out there or back at similar times then perhaps we could all keep our costs down by sharing a Bayern ticket?
Or even, if anyone is driving, Emma and I would be happy to put in for petrol to share a ride. For more info check out...

www.ritterturnier.de

The website is in English and German (though there is more info on the German website).
We are going in full costume and really looking forward to the biggest medieval festival in the world!

Contact me via email travesty1977@hotmail.com

Hope to see you there!

Travis and Emma

Why use a bayern ticket? Also, biggest medieval festival in the world? I don't think so...not even close...

World's Largest Jousting Tournament they say...errrrr...which probably doesn't take much doing really. Good fun once every couple of years!

http://www.ritterturnier.de/ust/default.asp

I was thinking about going this evening or weekend but my German Neighbors said they heard it was really muddy and wet from all the rain.

If I was going by myself I wouldn't mind, but I will have little ones in tow that I would rather not have to carry.

Has anybody been out there this year?

Thanks

Hi,
I was there twice last weekend. What would you like to know exactly?

Edit: Note that there are different timings of the event depending on which day you go. I'm assuming you'd prefer the daytime event since you have children, so check to see if it's a Tagesveranstaltung as opposed to an Abendveranstaltung.

It can get muddy in the rain, or dusty in the heat. Either way you'll probably all get a little dirty, but nothing that won't wash off. There are a lot of steps up and down and the paths are not smooth, with holes, gravel etc. Plus it's really crowded, so take a sturdy pushchair but not a huge one, if you can.

I was there two weeks ago IN the rain and mud, lol. Still bearable, so if its not actually raining you should be fine.

I was thinking about going this evening, weather looks good today. Who knows what it will do this weekend. I have to stay in the standing part of the Arena because my kids aren't 6 yet. How was the parking? Extremely muddy? Should I bring along some good boots?

I noticed the tournament is approximately 2.5 hours long. Did it keep your attention the whole time?

Thanks

OK all. I went last night. The parking lot and surrounding areas were all dry. I don't know where my neighbors heard it was wet and muddy.

The kids and I had a great time. My shoulders are a little sore from alternating holding my 3 year old and 5 year old during the jousting tournament and throughout the crowds. I'm amazed how adults can just squeeze their way in front of children thereby blocking there view. I guess its a German thing. A few people had strollers but it was really a little to crowded for them. I wouldn't recommend them. Just tough it out with the carry method.

The show could be a little violent for kids, but nothing worse than they've scene on TV. My girls were yelling at the black knight, "Stop it", when he was hitting the princess. I had to remind them that it was all staged during the scary parts.

The other thing the kids enjoyed was the dancing show in he Schloss Kaltenburg.

An enjoyable evening. Great atmosphere in the woods, especially when the sun goes down and all the torches get lit.

Kids under 6 free. Adults 17 Euro for standing area of arena (Kids less than 6 cannot sit in reserved section. Parking 5.5 Euro.

Last show this afternoon

I don't know what this person is talking about. I was there last night, for the third time since the late 90's. The jousting tournament is cool (very nice that that PA system is well distrubuted and the sound is very clear, as opposed to the muddy mumbling you get at many large outdoor events), but my favorite part is the market. SO many stalls selling lots of interesting, and in many cases, handmade items. The parade is great, as are the well-staged shows and historical demonstrations scattered all day throughout the area. I've only ever been on a weekend, and can get exceedingly crowded, so I'd recommend a Friday if you can manage it (well, next year anyway, today is the last day of the year).

Definately NOT just for kids.

Doesn't everyone just send their kids up to the front by themselves?

Strange, we only paid €2.50 for the parking. Maybe you went in a van or something and had to pay more (?). Anyway, sorry I didn't see your questions to answer them in time and glad you had fun!

My bad. Typo, should have read 2.5 Euro for parking.