Osterräderlauf

The stars of the Osterräderlauf are six giant oak wheels, each more than 2 meters in diameter and weighing over 280 kg. Packed tightly with rye straw and soaked in the Emmer River for days to prevent them from burning too quickly, the wheels are paraded through the old town on horse-drawn wagons as night falls. At 9 p.m., a cannon shot signals the start: one by one, the wheels are set alight and sent roaring down the steep Osterberg slope. Sparks and smoke spiral into the spring night sky, and legend says the farther a wheel rolls, the better the year’s harvest will be. It’s a breathtaking, mystical spectacle-a living ritual of spring sun worship.

In the afternoon, the decorated wagons carrying the wheels parade through town, accompanied by brass bands and locals in traditional dress, building the festive mood. After sunset, a huge bonfire is lit atop the hill, illuminating the crowd. When the last wheel has rolled to the bottom, a grand fireworks show lights up the night, marking the festival’s climax. In tents and on the fairgrounds, locals and visitors mingle and celebrate late into the night.

The tradition is preserved by the Dechenverein, a local heritage society whose roots trace back to medieval church and village guardians. Members wear black suits, white shirts, and sometimes silk top hats, evoking the solemnity of their historical role. The wheels are decorated with Christian crosses and symbols, while the wagons are adorned with ribbons and greenery. At the hilltop, a large illuminated cross-installed in 1935-shines as a spiritual symbol of the festival.