Vintage car pilgrimage: 2000 years of history on 162 km to Altötting!

Vintage car pilgrimage: 2000 years of history on 162 km to Altötting!

Every year, numerous pilgrims from the region gather around Altötting to take part in the traditional pilgrimages in honor of the Mother of God. This year a special group stood out: the vintage car enthusiasts from Neunburg, who made their trip to Altötting for the 15th time. This colorful group of classic car lovers not only provided nostalgic moments, but also a connection between generations that impressively expressed the feeling of community and tradition. Loud Central Bavarian reports, the pilgrimage started 16 years ago with just five tractors and has since attracted more and more enthusiastic followers.

The vintage car pilgrimage covered a distance of 162 kilometers, taking the pilgrims through the beautiful Bavarian countryside. On Saturday they arrived at Kapellplatz in Altötting around 4 p.m., after about 14 hours of travel. The participants were accommodated in Hirschhorn and Mitterskirchen, where they stayed overnight before returning home on Saturday. “This year we have 25 participants who bring together almost 2,000 years of classic car history,” says Hans Fischer, spokesman for the classic car enthusiasts. This trip not only brings together the joy of driving, but also the feeling of community that was clearly noticeable when the vehicles were blessed.

On a pilgrimage together

But the classic car enthusiasts are not the only pilgrims making their way to Altötting. The Maltese people from various Bavarian dioceses also invite you to the pilgrimage every year. This special pilgrimage traditionally takes place on the third Sunday in July. This year around 35 people from the Maltese from Salzburg were there. After a year in which the pilgrimage was canceled due to corona, this year we could once again look forward to communal prayer and exchange. The participants were warmly welcomed by Baron Franz-Josef von der Heydte in the Basilica of St. Anna.

At the Pontifical Mass under the leadership of Auxiliary Bishop Dr. Josef Graf focused on prayer. The pilgrimage not only served as a celebratory setting, but also as an opportunity to express personal concerns and thanks in prayer. On this occasion, a special votive offering, a silver heart with the Maltese cross, was blessed and presented in the Chapel of Grace, which underlined the spiritual depth of the pilgrimage.

A feeling of connection

Whether on the vintage car pilgrimage or the Maltese pilgrimage, togetherness is the top priority. While some drive the streets in their nostalgic vehicles, others look after sick people. The encounter and support that the pilgrims offer each other illustrates how important community is in faith and in everyday life. The desire to go on pilgrimage again next year was also emphatically expressed, both by classic car enthusiasts and by the Maltese, and shows the deep connection to the Altötting pilgrimage site.

The pilgrimage of vintage car enthusiasts ended safely, despite the adverse weather conditions, and the participants could look back on a successful journey. The experiences of these days will probably be remembered for a long time and are a nice expression of the solidarity in the community.