Brixental Valley Antlassritt (Corpus Christi Horse Procession)

Brixentaler Antlassritt

The Brixentaler Antlassritt is an annual eucharistic horseback procession held on Corpus Christi (Fronleichnam) in the Brixental valley, Tyrol, Austria. Approximately 50–80 male riders from Brixen im Thale, Kirchberg in Tirol, and Westendorf, riding adorned horses, process from the parish church in Brixen along the Bundesstraße through Kirchberg to the Schwedenkapelle (Klausenkapelle) rest area in Klausen and back, accompanied by local brass bands (Musikkapellen) and the pealing of church bells. The tradition dates back over 300 years and was originally believed to be a vow of gratitude that Swedish forces did not invade the Brixental during the Thirty Years' War, though church records suggest it may predate that as a Flurritt (field ride) for harvest blessings. The Bundesstraße between Kitzbühel and Brixen is closed to traffic from 13:00 to 16:00 during the procession.