The Auer Dult is a traditional Munich folk festival that takes place three times a year on Mariahilfplatz. In addition to fairground rides and food stalls, there are also around 300 traders selling antiques, junk, crockery and household goods.
The history of the Auer Dult
A Dult used to be a church festival that took place around the church on a church holiday or on the name day of a saint. Initially there were only stalls, but over time various fairground attractions were added.
The history of the Auer Dult begins in 1310 at what is now St Jakob's Square. The Franciscans, who looked after pilgrims here in their monastery, allowed traders to sell their wares in front of St. Jacob's Chapel around the feast of St. James (25 July).
Unlike the weekly markets in Munich, foreign stalls were also allowed at the Jakobidult. There were furs, fabrics, household goods, spices and much more to buy from all over Europe. And customers came from all over to make sure they didn't miss out on this event. They could be treated by doctors or entertained by acrobats, jugglers and puppeteers.
As the Dult attracted more and more visitors and Jakobsplatz became increasingly built up, the festival was moved to Kaufingerstraße, Neuhauserstraße and Ettstraße in 1791.
The May and Kirchweihdult has been held in front of the Mariahilf church since 1796. Household goods and clothing are mainly sold here. And the Jakobidult, which has changed its location several times, has also been at home on Mariahilfplatz in the Au since 1905.
The Dult is nostalgic and quiet
Today, the Auer Dult is a large market where crockery, art and antique dealers offer their wares. At many stands there are Household goods which are entertainingly advertised by market criers. At the same time, the Dult is a folk festival with nostalgic rides such as a chain carousel, a small Ferris wheel with historical organ playing, shooting galleries and a swing boat. You can also visit a flea circus that has been around since the middle of the 19th century.
One of the most beautiful attractions at the Auer Dult is the puppet theatre ‘Kasperl von der Au’. Here, the owner Ludwig Trollmann and his family lovingly perform plays they have written themselves in the local Bavarian dialect. Many visitors probably only understand half of it - but they always laugh along.
apbox race in May
If you don't know the Auer Dult, which lasts nine days, you should definitely go. Because compared to the Oktoberfest it is cosy and particularly suitable for children due to its manageable size. The Maidult traditionally begins around the first weekend in May, followed by the Jakobidult in July and the Kirchweihdult in October.
Since 2004, a soapbox race has also been held during the Maidult, which was originally organised by the American military administration after the end of the Second World War. Every year, around 60 drivers compete for the ‘Grand Prize of the Suburb of Au’ on self-built soapboxes and race down the Gebsattelberg at speeds of up to 30 kilometres per hour.
