Frankfurt - Wäldchestag

The history of Wäldchestag cannot be clearly established. In the absence of documentary evidence, two variants of the origin are considered possible.

Traditionally, the craftsmen held their large, festive processions at Whitsun, and numerous craftsmen's festivals were not least due to the fact that the administrative year in the free imperial city was counted from 1 May to 30 April until 1729. The term of office of the guild leaders began with the new administrative year, which was also a reason for extended celebrations and merriment.

It is possible that the beginning of the third Whitsun holiday can also be seen in the custom of driving the cattle out to pasture for the first time after Whitsun, with servants and maids going out with them to feast on "food and drink". Frankfurt street names such as "Pfingstweide", which were mentioned as early as 1300, still bear witness to this old Whitsun tradition today.

The long tradition of Frankfurt's bank holidays is documented by the poem Wäldchestag by local and dialect poet Friedrich Stoltze from 1853:

„In Wald, da muß heut Jedes,

Zu Kutsch, zu Pferd, per Eisebah,

Zu Nache un per Pedes.

Un alle Läde un Condorn,

Die wern geschlosse; Alles!

Die Zeil leiht da, wie gottverlorn,

Un leer is selbst der Dalles!“,

Even if only a few people in an international city like Frankfurt still get the day off on Wäldchestag, as would be the tradition, a visit to the city forest on Whitsun weekend and especially on Tuesday - Wäldchestag - is obligatory for most Frankfurters. Those who don't get time off at their international company simply meet up with their colleagues for an after-work forest party in the beer garden or simply enjoy a cool glass of wine under the treetops at the weekend.

(Source: http://www.frankfurt-tourismus.de )

Travel information:

By public transport:

- by tram - stop Stadion

By car:

- Venue: Am Oberforsthaus in the Frankfurt city forest

Car park:

- Isenburger Schneise car park (at the Leonardo Hotel)