The Wittichenau Easter Riders’ Procession (Kreuzreiter-Prozession) is an ancient Catholic tradition held every Easter Sunday in Wittichenau (German: Wittichenau; Sorbian: Kulow), Saxony. Since 1541, hundreds of local men in white shirts, black tailcoats and top hats ride on festively decorated horses with a crucifix from Wittichenau to the neighboring village of Ralbitz (12 km away) proclaiming “Halleluja, Jesus lebt!” and spreading the message of Christ’s resurrection 1. The procession is unique among the nine Oberlausitz Easter rides because it is bilingual (German and Upper Sorbian) during church services and songs 2. Preparations start early on Easter morning with a 5:00 am communal Mass at the St. Mariae Himmelfahrt church, which anchors the riders’ blessing and liturgy before departure. After a festive Mass (Hochamt) in the morning, the riders depart from the town church’s Kirchplatz at about 09:20, arriving at Ralbitz around noon, where they pause before the return journey at 15:00 back to Wittichenau (arriving ~18:00) 3 4. The entire event is a deeply felt community ritual rather than a tourist spectacle, and it also involves music bands and prayers at stops along the route. Visitors can line the procession route in Wittichenau (especially at the Marktplatz) to see the decorated horses and riders or attend the early morning and high Mass in the church. This tradition persisted even through secularization (e.g., in the former GDR only Wittichenau and other Sorbian villages maintained Easter riding) 5. It remains a strong symbol of local Sorbian Catholic identity, integrating liturgy and folklore. The procession calendar is based on Easter Sunday (1st Sunday after the Paschal full moon) each year. If Easter 2026 falls on April 5, 2026, the next procession would be on 2026-04-05 (times as above).
A central event of Upper Lusatian Sorbian Easter traditions, this procession exemplifies the living heritage of the Sorb minority in Saxony, merging Christian faith with centuries-old customs 1 2. Men sing hymns in both German and Sorbian along the route, and the villages celebrate with decorated Easter trees and church services 1 3. The custom dates back to the 16th century and continues to be a defining ritual in the community 4 5.
Venues and routes
Katholische Pfarrkirche St. Mariä Himmelfahrt · Wittichenau
Katholische Pfarrkirche St. Mariä Himmelfahrt
Main · Starting point and blessing ceremony · Kirchplatz 1, 02997 Wittichenau · Wittichenau
Wittichenau Marktplatz
Outdoor gathering place for welcoming riders and the closing ceremony · Marktplatz, 02997 Wittichenau · Wittichenau
Katholische Pfarrkirche St. Katharina
Procession arrival and blessing · Hauptstraße 17, 01920 Ralbitz-Rosenthal · Ralbitz
The dates that shape the visit.
Opening day · Sun, Mar 28
The procession is sent off from the Wittichenau parish church after a blessing.
Arrive by 09:00 for best viewing; many stand on the church steps and nearby streets to watch the solemn departure.
The riders arrive at St. Katharina church in Ralbitz after the morning ride.
Stand at the church entrance or along Hauptstraße to glimpse the procession with church backdrop; join in the prayers if desired.
Final homecoming of the riders to Wittichenau marketplace, ending the procession.
Come early to the market square; a final blessing or small gathering often takes place. It's a celebratory but reverent conclusion.
Reference notes for once this becomes a real plan.
Practical notes refreshed Apr 4.
Moderate crowds · Calm energy
Gatherings form near churches and key road bends; less dense in rural stretches.
A very safe community event, well-managed by volunteers and local police.
Dress in layers · Event continues rain or shine
Daily budget: €50-70, Mid: €100-130 · Drinks: €2-4 (beer/soft drinks)
Bring snacks or water; use local bakeries for cheap meals.
From center: About 500 m south of Wittichenau town center · Main areas (church and market) are wheelchair-accessible, but rural routes may be uneven.
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