Burg Bodenteich

Traditional Torchlight Hike to Ring Out the Year in Bad Bodenteich On the last day of the year, things will once again be truly atmospheric in Bad Bodenteich. Before the rockets rise into the night sky at midnight, this year St. Petri Parish Bad Bodenteich invites all locals and guests to the traditional torchlight hike on New Year’s Eve afternoon. The meeting point is at the castle courtyard on Thursday, December 31, at 4 p.m. In the cozy glow of the torches, participants will then walk through perhaps wintry Bad Bodenteich for about an hour. To conclude, all participants will meet this time at the parish hall to bring the old year to a peaceful close by candlelight and children’s punch, and to receive the New Year’s blessing from Pastor Dierßen. Anyone interested should register in advance by December 21 with the Bad Bodenteich spa administration by calling 05824/3539 or by email at [tourismus@sg-aue.de](mailto:tourismus@sg-aue.de), as the number of participants will again be limited this year.

April 30 On the last day of April, the Celtic Beltane festival is celebrated, also known as “Walpurgis Night.” In mystical light, the castle grounds, the forests, and the meadows then shine, and the gates to the Otherworld open. Everywhere, mystical beings appear, such as goat-footed fauns, graceful elves, nymphs, and goblins... to enchant people and, in the end, dance in a wild round to the sounds of rousing music around the Walpurgis fire. May 1 May 1 is not only recognized by the magistrate as a public holiday; it is also truly celebrated here. Spring is coming into full bloom, and the whole market welcomes a beautiful new year. Customs from times long past come to life, and with many different activities, families enjoy an outing into the Middle Ages. It is also rumored that quite a few fairy beings and elemental spirits from Beltane night will remain to enchant people. May 2 The many facets of the Middle Ages are brought to life at Bodenteich Castle on May 2. A colorful procession of knights, riders, falconry, minstrels, jugglers, and children's attractions awaits you at the castle and in the lakeside meadows. Craftsmen demonstrate their skills, traveling merchants offer their spices for sale, while roast cooks and innkeepers make sure that no one goes hungry or thirsty.

In cooperation with AGIL, the Office for Applied Archaeology, Südergellersen, the bakehouse at Bodenteich Castle will be put back into operation on the following Sundays from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.: May 9, June 6, July 4, August 8, September 5 Visitors can look forward to wonderfully fresh and delicious streusel cake and butter cake from the stone oven at Bodenteich Castle. Mario Kleitzke, a baker who has already demonstrated his skills at the pumpkin and apple days and at the Christmas market at the castle, will be at the oven. The active baking is intended not only to whet appetites for fresh cake and coffee, but also to draw attention to the two museums at Bodenteich Castle, the Castle Museum and the Museum of German Unity. Of course, both museums will be open on these days during the baking, and they are already looking forward to hopefully many interested visitors. Admission is free, although both institutions would be very grateful for voluntary donations. At the Bodendik Archers, who are also supporting this event, children and adults can try their hand at archery or get creative by painting stones and marbling wooden discs, or making jewelry such as bracelets and necklaces themselves. There is always some kind of creative activity on offer. Storyteller Silke Kannen will also be there again, enchanting young and old with little stories.