Fishermen wedding

The Tutzing fishing wedding

The rapacious and begrudging landowner Count Vieregg, who after all made sure that there was a beautiful castle, today’s Protestant Academy of Tutzing, sent the son Michael of his courtier Gröber, who was pissed off because of the ever-increasing lease requirements, into the Napoleonic war, where he disappeared into the endless expanses of the Russian Empire and allegedly froze to death.

The tragic thing about it, apart from the father’s anger and grief, is that the fisherman’s daughter Veronika Bierbichler, whom he adored but always pretended to be, Bierbichler is known to everyone in Munich, is on the other side of the lake in Ambach, remembered: Auweia, actually he was quite a nice guy, I didn’t even realize that I actually loved him undyingly.

Normally, that would have been it and quickly forgotten. But far from it. It’s getting really good now, so good that you might suspect the story was made up.

One day a ragged young man had dragged himself to the Guggerhof, to the Hoffischer Gröber. No one took any notice of him, but you can guess what’s coming. At that time it was the Gröber’s dog, who was not doing very well at the farm, who was convinced that Michael would provide a better dog’s life from now on. Whether this came to pass is not known. But he was the only one to recognize him, evidenced by vigorous tail wagging.

As it happens with exciting news, Veronika heard about it the same day in Ambach from a fisherman and she realized crystal clear that she had to take action.

And this is how it turned out: Michael finally got it, the count wasn’t so bad, but got along with his tenant again. The Gröber probably thought that getting along with the count would be useful and was also satisfied. And when the count also announced a big wedding, even Papa Bierbichler was delighted. After all, it finally brought him good attention even on the west side of the lake, where the rich and beautiful linger these days. From then on, the Bierbichler was a popular summer retreat and stop at the lake.

At that time there was no lake navigation in today’s sense, the ‘Starnberg’ was not yet in planning. So Veronika had to be taken across the lake in a rowboat. And already we have all the ingredients for a celebration that, for the purpose of popular amusement and promotion of tourism, was worthy of regular reenactment. In costumes that look as real as possible, beautifully decorated rowboats, horses, carriages and with lots of Bavarian music and old to contemporary culinary delights in abundance. Speeches are also given of course. And, of course, the Evangelische Akademie Tutzing makes the castle grounds available, including the balcony. Those who can no longer fit in can console themselves with public viewing. The actors, especially the bride and groom, are always cast from the offspring of the real Tutzing fishing families, which still exist. The bride should actually be from Ambach, but they are cheating. Who it will be is still a secret.

Anyone who has experienced it will not be able to help but admit that the two days of celebration, from the bachelor party to the wedding, are a great thing, worthy of being captured in perpetuity with countless photos, clips and selfies.

Here’s how it works:

The wedding loader on horseback proclaims the wedding on Saturday evening in front of the Guggerhof and the main street with many varied stands and numerous opportunities to settle down comfortably with drink and feast, becomes the festive mile for a real wedding night, only you have to pay yourself. Drinking, eating, small talk, dancing, in that order, until, yes, exactly, midnight. Then, as in the old days, the night watchman comes and ensures peace and quiet in the name of the count. And this is good for maintaining stamina, because first thing in the morning at 6 o’clock the village is awakened by firecrackers.

Festively and lovingly prepared, in the traditional fishing costume, the performers gather around ‘Michi’, again in front of the Guggerhof and move, followed by the spectators, to the steamer pier to greet Veronika, yes ‘Vroni’, who comes with the family in decorated rowboats from the other side of the lake. In the game, of course, she secretly sets off from Tutzing, usually from the Müller boat rental shop. But no one sees that. As is proper, a service will then be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Church. Afterwards, accompanied by music bands and traditional costume societies, the guests go to the castle in Tutzing, where the wedding ceremony and lunch take place. As mentioned, you can also experience this with public viewing if the castle gets too crowded. Is especially recommended if you really want to see the actual. The afternoon parade through the village with many traditional costume associations, horse-drawn carriages and music bands from near and far Upper Bavaria is a feast for the eyes of lovers of basic Bavarian values and traditions. As well as the varied program with dance performances of all kinds from the Bavarian Alpine region until the evening hours. This spectacle should not be missed.