Natural surroundings, culture and legends as well as social gatherings and festivals are part of life in Berchtesgadener Land. Almost every day there are concerts going on somewhere of traditional German music as well as traditional dancing such as the "Schuhplattel" (thigh-slapping dance whilst wearing lederhosen). Such special events include "peasant"-theatre productions and spiritual concerts, serenades in the spa gardens or five-star dining experiences, where there is guaranteed to be traditional folk music playing. Whether you go on a Christian pilgrimage, enjoy a "Diner Sole" (banquet in the salt mine) or spend Christmas Eve at St. Bartholomew's Church - all these events have strong links with the customs of the region and are real cultural treats.Maria Alm pilgrimage
Each year on the Saturday following 24th August (St. Bartholomew's Day) is when the pilgrimage from Maria Alm to St. Bartholomew takes place. The early morning departure point is the Riemannshaus inn. After the almost three-hour ascent of Maria Alm a traditional "mountain mass" (Bergmesse) is celebrated. On the day following the pilgrimage and after the "field mass" (Feldmesse), St. Bartholomew's is the venue for the annual fair commemorating the consecration of the church. The Maria Alm orchestra also takes part in these celebrations. The reason for the oldest mountain pilgrimage in Europe is said to be the 1635 plague which was raging in the neighbouring state of Salzburg.Christmas Eve at St. Bartholomew's Church
Quietly you glide towards St. Bartholomew's in electric motor boats. You will be greeted on the peninsula by a brass band and mulled wine. The reading of Ludwig Thoma's Christmas story in the Bavarian dialect in the famous pilgrimage church of St. Bartholomew, accompanied by musicians such as accordionists, singers and trumpeters playing traditional music is certainly one of the highpoints of the run up to Christmas.