The streets and alleys of Bamberg’s Old Town are already bustling. By evening, however, they will be nearly impassable. At 6:00 PM, the Bamberger Sandkerwa officially begins with the traditional beer tapping. Over the coming days, around 200,000 visitors are expected to flock to Sandstraße. Together, they will celebrate the consecration day of St. Elisabeth’s Church in the “Sand,” Bamberg’s oldest civic quarter.
Festival Celebrated Since 1951
The Sandkerwa has its origins in the 20th century, just a few years after the end of the Second World War. Horst Gehringer, head of the Bamberg City Archives, explained to BR24 that it was founded for purely economic reasons. The proceeds from the church fair were intended to restore the war-damaged windows of the St. Elisabeth Chapel and other structural repairs.
“So, it was also a kind of internal economic measure, and from that, they created a church fair in 1951,” the archivist explained. The idea was well-received by the public. Just one year later, the festival was expanded with the addition of the Fischerstechen (jousting) event. After that, the fair “basically took on a life of its own,” according to Horst Gehringer.
Special Highlight Returns for Anniversary Year
The traditional Fischerstechen (Fishermen’s Joust), organized by Bamberg’s Guild of Boatmen and Fishermen, will take place again this year. On Sunday afternoon, spectators can watch the contest of strength on the Regnitz River, where participants on flat boats try to push each other into the water with long poles.
For the 75th-anniversary celebration, a revival is also on the program: the Duck Race returns. Participants can release their ducks into a branch of the Regnitz River for a chance to win a prize. An organ concert will also be held in the Imperial Cathedral (Kaiserdom) on the same day. On the final day of the Kerwa, the traditional Hahnenschlag (a game of skill) is open to young and old alike. A grand anniversary fireworks display is also planned for Monday evening. The full program is available on the Bamberger Sandkerwa website [external link].
Mandatory Festival Badge from 6:00 PM
For everyone older than 14, a festival badge is mandatory from 6:00 PM onwards. The badges can be purchased online or at the evening box offices. Mobile crews will also be selling badges directly throughout the festival grounds. A one-day badge costs three euros. For those who want to enjoy all five days on Sandstraße in Bamberg’s Old Town, a ticket for six euros is available.
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