Pleasant: the start and end points are connected to local public transport.

For a long time there was a custom in the Vatican that the respective Pope only washes the feet of priests. Pope Francis broke this tradition and has also washed lay people’s feet since taking office. He also washed the feet of prisoners, the sick and the disabled. In addition, since 2016 women and girls have also been admitted to the symbolic act on Maundy Thursday.

Traditions: What are the Easter customs in Germany?

In the churches on Maundy Thursday the Eucharist is specially celebrated at masses and the Last Supper is remembered with bread and wine. In some congregations, Christians also meet in the evening to eat together and read the story of the Last Supper in the Bible.

Christian solemn festival: Holy Week – why do we actually celebrate Easter? Start of the Easter weekend: What is the real meaning of Good Friday? Emmingang and Georgiritt: Spectacular customs on Easter Monday

Eating on Maundy Thursday: which regulations apply?

Strict fasting rules do not apply like on Good Friday (no fish and alcohol) or Ash Wednesday. But it was the custom in bourgeois houses that on Maundy Thursday mainly something green was eaten. These included green cabbage, nettles, watercress, spinach, lettuce, herb soup or rowin salad (Rapunzel or lamb’s lettuce). 

Sources used: own research news agency dpa

The Easter fire has a long tradition and is lit year after year all over Germany and in other countries where Easter is celebrated. But what exactly is behind this custom?

What is the custom and tradition behind the Easter fire? What are the current customs of the Easter fire? What can be burned at the Easter fire?

Which custom and which tradition is behind the Easter fire?

For many centuries, Christians and non-Christians have lit the Easter fire at Easter and at the same time serves as a prelude to the festival that follows. There is no precisely defined day for the Easter fire, but it is usually lit on Good Friday, Holy Saturday or Easter Sunday.

Good Friday: What is the significance of the holiday? Dates and interesting facts: Why we celebrate Easter

Interesting facts about Easter

Photo series with 8 pictures

On the day of the Easter fire, a pastor or priest of the parish usually lights the Easter candle, which then serves the parishioners to light their own Easter candles. Both the Easter candle and the Easter fire are considered a symbol of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

From other sources we know that the Easter fire was also used to officially say goodbye to winter or to drive out and at the same time usher in spring. The ashes were then scattered on the fields to make them fertile for the coming season.

What are today’s customs for the Easter bonfire?

Today the Easter bonfire is usually no longer celebrated for religious or superstitious reasons. Rather, it serves as an occasion to meet friends, family or neighbors from the community to enjoy drinks and food in comfort by the fire. The Easter bonfire is often the occasion for an extensive party where you can dance until the early hours of the morning. 

Many families also use the Easter bonfire to offer their children a very special event. For example, you can grill stick bread or marshmallows with your children. 

When children take part in the Easter bonfire, be sure to keep them safe. Children like to get too close to the fire or to be careless with burning sticks. Make sure you have enough safety distance. Sparks can jump out of the embers, ignite clothes or hair and cause burn injuries to the skin. 

What can be burned at the Easter fire?

Clubs and larger groups usually organize the Easter bonfire. It is important that this event is registered. Because the local fire brigade must also be informed – they ensure the safety and security of the site of the fire and that the fire burns down in a controlled manner. 

So that the Easter fire burns long and big, the organizers are happy to accept donations of fuel in advance. This includes untreated wood and dry plant remains. Lacquered wood, bulky waste and household waste must not be burned. 

It is important that you can only light an Easter fire in your own garden with the appropriate authorization and after consultation with your neighbors. 

Don’t be put off: Seven facts about the Easter egg Attention flying sparks: Safety at the Easter fire – what you should pay attention to Origin and history: why does the Easter bunny exist?

Even if bales of straw are an ideal place to sit and perfectly match the atmosphere of the Easter fire, they should be avoided. Sparks jumping from the embers can easily ignite the dry straw and thus cause an uncontrolled fire that can also cause panic among visitors to the Easter bonfire.

Sources used: own research

When hiking, many people first think of mountains and forests. But sometimes a river also gives the direction. Many designated hiking trails are built close to the water and provide a beautiful natural experience.

Seven beautiful river hiking trails in Germany

Photo series with 8 pictures

Water exerts a special attraction on many people. This also applies to hiking: a stream or river has "understandable, logical lines" as Erik Neumeyer from the German Hiking Association calls it. This provides orientation, whether for a day or for several stages: there is hardly a more wonderful hike than along rivers. There are also many ways to do this in Germany.

We have put together a selection for you:

1. Altmühltal-Panoramaweg, Bavaria

The Altmühltal-Panoramaweg leads along the Altmühl for 200 kilometers from Gunzenhausen to Kelheim – past limestone rock formations like the Twelve Apostles near Solnhofen and the Steinerne Rinne near Wolfsbronn, where the water has piled up the rock below.

The baroque Eichstätt or the three-castle town of Riedenburg are worth an overnight stay and a visit. This is an advantage of river hiking trails: there are usually good places to stop for refreshments and overnight stays.

2. Moselsteig, Rhineland-Palatinate

One of Erik Neumeyer’s favorite trails is the Moselsteig trail from Perl on the German-French-Luxembourg border to the mouth at the Deutsches Eck in Koblenz. From the hiking association the path is as "Quality way" excellent – so it corresponds to clearly defined quality criteria such as reliable marking and good infrastructure.

It scores with a length of 365 kilometers, divided into 24 stages, as well as complete signage. It goes through vineyards, forests and small river villages. Roman legacies can be viewed in Trier, Konz or Mehring.

3. Through the Ilsetal to the Brocken, Saxony-Anhalt

The Ilse is smaller than the Moselle: it is only 43 kilometers long, and the first kilometer down the northern Brocken slope it crouches under boulders. Only a rustling testifies to the brook that rises on the Brocken at a height of 900 meters.

The eleven kilometer long path from Ilsenburg along the Ilse up to the Brocken, past the cascade-shaped Ilse Falls and bizarre rocks, is one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the Harz Mountains. It bears the name of the poet Heinrich Heine, who is said to have taken this route. Attention: The ascent with an altitude of 800 meters and a gradient of up to 15 percent is quite challenging.

4. Natursteig Sieg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate

Away from the usual tourist trails, the Sieg nature trail above all offers authenticity: narrow paths on the almost 200 kilometers from Siegburg to Mudersbach offer views of the varied landscape along the Sieg. The 14 stages, 11 to 20 kilometers in length, are particularly suitable for day or half-day excursions. Pleasant: the start and end points are connected to local public transport.

5. Through the Bodetal, Saxony-Anhalt

From Thale it goes along the Bode for nine kilometers to Treseburg and back again. This eastern section of the Harzer Hexenstieg leads over the Teufelsbrücke on the Bodekessel and meanders up the rock. Below, the gurgling stream is pleasantly cool in summer. For children there is a large adventure playground with a roller coaster on the outskirts of Thale. From here a cable car leads up to the Hexentanzplatz.

6. Am Regen after Regen, Bavaria

From local asian girls the municipality of Bayerisch Eisenstein via Zwiesel to the district town of Regen, it goes 26 kilometers along the Regen – without any notable inclines. The river hiker has to plan seven hours for this, but can also set up two stages. The path offers sufficient views of the charming meadow landscape. Where appropriate, wooden planks and footbridges protect the hiking boots from the mud.

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7. Elb-Höhenweg, Lower Saxony

The Elb-Höhenweg meanders a proud 66 kilometers along the Elbe from Schnackenburg in Wendland downriver to Neu Darchau. That’s three to four stages, 60 percent on natural trails. It goes ahead on steep slopes, as well as on grassed Elbe dike paths. In between, half-timbered towns offer the opportunity to stop and stay overnight. Hitzacker is particularly beautiful: on an island formed by the Jeetzel tributary and the Elbe.

The wilderness is waiting on the doorstep: You don’t have to travel to the end of the world to explore ancient forests, untouched floodplains and wild animals. In Germany’s national parks, rangers and forest guides invite you to explore protected natural areas. We present seven parks in which special experiences await visitors in spring. We present the national parks in our photo show.

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Bavarian Forest National Park – baby animals with bison, elk and otter

In the oldest German national park in Eastern Bavaria, the summer tour program starts on May 15th. Then, for the first time, a special tour with National Park staff or long-term forest guides will be offered every Saturday in summer. For example, on a three-hour hike, visitors learn to distinguish the chirping concerts of the birds. Participants also experience the awakening of the animal and plant world on a tour to bizarre rocks and in beech forests with their lush, fresh green. In the animal free area Neuschönau there are young animals to marvel at. Three bison calves are already making their first excursions into the big wide world. When it comes to elk and otters, one is still waiting eagerly for offspring. Visitors to the Ludwigsthal zoo area can take a spectacular look into the past. There you can admire wild horses and aurochs – and soon their offspring too.

Hainich National Park – On the trail of the heralds of spring

White carpets of flowers make the forest look almost snowy again. In the spring, countless mugs cover the forest floor in the Hainich National Park. Some of the largest natural occurrences of wild-growing Märzenbecher in Germany can be found in the forests. "A hike along the Thiemsburg nature trail and on the Brunstal adventure trail is a real feast for the eyes" the deputy national park manager Rüdiger Biehl knows.