On April 8, 2023, Easter bonfires will be lit again throughout Germany.
Here you can find out where the most beautiful places in Germany are.
Hanover – There are a number of traditions associated with Easter in Germany.
On Easter Sunday, thousands of families hide and look for Easter eggs.
And on Saturday – but also on Easter Sunday – Easter bonfires are now traditionally lit all over Germany.
Here is an overview of the places where the most beautiful Easter bonfires are held.
Where are the most beautiful Easter bonfires in Germany?
The Easter bonfire is part of the Easter celebrations in Germany, just like looking for and coloring Easter eggs.
Smaller or larger Easter bonfires are lit all over Germany on Holy Saturday or Easter Sunday.
The custom is probably of pagan origin.
As early as 751, the Easter fire was described in an exchange of letters between Pope Zacharias and the missionary Boniface.
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Easter bonfires can be viewed throughout Germany on Saturday and Easter Sunday.
© Bodo Marks/dpa
Whether in Hamburg, Bremen or Oberhausen: Easter bonfires are lit in many smaller villages and cities.
If a small fire in your own village is not enough for you, you can travel long distances to attend special events.
Easter in North Rhine-Westphalia: The Easter bike race in Lügde
Probably the most special Easter bonfire is lit in Lügde in North Rhine-Westphalia.
It has been a custom there for almost 300 years to light large straw wheels.
When it gets dark, these are lit and rolled down the Osterberg.
The special event attracts around 20,000 spectators every year.
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The Easter bike race in Lügde is one of the most well-known Easter traditions in Germany.
© ecomedia/Robert Fishman/Imago
The Easter bonfires on the “4 Köppe” in Attendorn, North Rhine-Westphalia
Many visitors are also drawn to Attendorn at Easter.
In the city with around 25,000 inhabitants, the Easter bonfire will be burned down on the “4 Köppe” on Sunday at 9:00 p.m.
This is what four hills outside the city in North Rhine-Westphalia are called.
On these Easter bonfires are equipped with huge crosses.
In the dark, these Easter fires are then lit with an Easter candle.
But that's not all: In addition, burning torches are waved, with which circles of fire are painted in the air.
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In Attendorn, in addition to the Easter fire on Easter Sunday, burning torches are waved through the air.
© blickwinkel/Imago
Easter in the Hanseatic city: Traditional Easter bonfire on Hamburg's Elbe beach
In the Hanseatic city of Hamburg, small and large Easter bonfires are lit in many places.
Probably the most well-known Easter bonfire is on the Elbe beach in Blankenese.
The size of the Easter fire is eight meters in diameter and five meters in height.
In contrast to many other events, the Easter bonfire on the Elbe beach will already be burned down on Holy Saturday - the start should be around 7:00 p.m.
The Easter fire can sometimes also be viewed from the water, as Easter fire boat trips are offered.
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The Easter fire on the Elbe beach is said to be up to five meters high - it will be burned down on Holy Saturday.
© Georg Wendt/dpa
Easter fire: celebrate on the North Sea coast in Sankt Peter-Ording
Those who are drawn even further north than Hamburg can watch the Easter bonfires in Sankt Peter-Ording on the North Sea.
As in Hamburg, the Easter bonfire on the dyke in Sankt Peter-Ording is already burned down on Saturday.
Before that, there will be a supporting program with many games from 12:00 p.m., and the Easter bonfire will be lit from 8:00 p.m.
Live music is even played in addition to the Easter fire.
If you want to take part in the hustle and bustle on Holy Saturday, you have to go to the Seebrücke forecourt.
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The Easter bonfire in the dunes in Sankt Peter-Ording offers a backdrop for young and old.
© Daniel Bockwoldt/dpa
Enjoy Easter days: large selection of Easter bonfires in the Harz Mountains
In the Harz Mountains, visitors have a wide range of Easter bonfires to visit.
This includes the Easter bonfire in St. Adreasberg, which is lit on Holy Saturday from 6 p.m.
"Be there to officially say goodbye to winter," announce the organizers.
There, too, torches are usually waved through the air.
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A large number of Easter bonfires can be visited in the Harz Mountains - here the Easter bonfire in Elbingerode.
© Frank Drechsler/Imago
Whether in your own garden, at small village festivals or large events: For many, the Easter fire is simply part of Easter.
List of rubrics: © blickwinkel/Imago
