Melodious pilgrimage to St. Bartholomä

From Maria Alm over the Steinerne Meer to the Königssee
The Maria Alm Pilgrimage – better known as the Bartholomä Pilgrimage – is one of the oldest high-altitude pilgrimages in Europe and has been combining living tradition with profound spirituality for centuries. It leads from Austria, across the impressive Steinerne Meer, to St. Bartholomä on the Königssee in Germany. The walk takes about nine hours and presents a challenging endeavor. Each year, over 2,000 pilgrims participate in this extraordinary pilgrimage.

Pilgrimage meets music: "Sung and Played" on the way to St. Bartholomä
As part of the 30th anniversary of the "Bauernherbst" (Farmers' Autumn Festival), this year’s pilgrimage will be centered around the theme "Sung and Played."
For centuries, musical performances have accompanied the pilgrims on their arduous journey over the mountains. Even today, traditional tunes are sung and played by participants and music groups along the route, creating a special atmosphere. The combination of nature, faith, and music makes this event a unique experience.

History and Tradition of the Bartholomä Pilgrimage
The origins of the Almer Pilgrimage date back to 1635. According to legend, it was initiated by the people of Saalfelden as a thanksgiving for surviving several plague epidemics. Originally, the pilgrimage’s destination was Bad Dürrnberg near Hallein, while the peninsula of Hirschau with the St. Bartholomä chapel was a stopping point.
One of the most defining tragedies of the pilgrimage occurred in 1688, when a boat with pilgrims capsized on the Königssee and 71 people drowned. Since then, the official route has ended at St. Bartholomä. In memory of the victims, a wreath is hung annually on the steep Falkensteiner Wall, which drops into the lake.
After World War I, the tradition was forgotten, but it was revived in 1951 through the initiative of the Pinzgau Trachtenmusikkapelle Maria Alm. Since then, the pilgrimage has been carried out annually with significant participation and has become an impressive cultural and spiritual event. In recent years, the "Barthlma-Gehen" has been growing in popularity. In good weather, up to 2,500 participants can be seen on the mountain.

150 Years of the Maria Alm Trachtenmusikkapelle
The organizers of the Bartholomä Pilgrimage, the Maria Alm Trachtenmusikkapelle, are celebrating their 150th anniversary this year. For one and a half centuries, the brass band has shaped the cultural life of the region and has also provided unforgettable musical accompaniment during the pilgrimage. This special anniversary will give the 2025 event an even more festive tone.