04:15The traditional horse parade to mark St. Stephen's Day took place around the Bavarian town of Spalt on Tuesday.
The procession, believed to date back to the 15th century, began when locals began riding their horses from Spalt to the little church in nearby Wasserzell. Footage shows participants and spectators, along with a variety of horses and carts of all shapes and sizes.
"What makes us happy is that this tradition is with us year after year and simply leaves its mark every year, this close connection between the people and the horses, you realise how much tradition there is in this [custom]", said Spalt's priest, Josef Mederer.
According to tradition, St. Stephen is the patron saint of horses and riders, and people come with their horses and carts from around the local area to receive a blessing from the priest.
Horsing around! Traditional St. Stephen's Day parade tours Bavarian town
The traditional horse parade to mark St. Stephen's Day took place around the Bavarian town of Spalt on Tuesday.
The procession, believed to date back to the 15th century, began when locals began riding their horses from Spalt to the little church in nearby Wasserzell. Footage shows participants and spectators, along with a variety of horses and carts of all shapes and sizes.
"What makes us happy is that this tradition is with us year after year and simply leaves its mark every year, this close connection between the people and the horses, you realise how much tradition there is in this [custom]", said Spalt's priest, Josef Mederer.
According to tradition, St. Stephen is the patron saint of horses and riders, and people come with their horses and carts from around the local area to receive a blessing from the priest.
The traditional horse parade to mark St. Stephen's Day took place around the Bavarian town of Spalt on Tuesday.
The procession, believed to date back to the 15th century, began when locals began riding their horses from Spalt to the little church in nearby Wasserzell. Footage shows participants and spectators, along with a variety of horses and carts of all shapes and sizes.
"What makes us happy is that this tradition is with us year after year and simply leaves its mark every year, this close connection between the people and the horses, you realise how much tradition there is in this [custom]", said Spalt's priest, Josef Mederer.
According to tradition, St. Stephen is the patron saint of horses and riders, and people come with their horses and carts from around the local area to receive a blessing from the priest.