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What is the Braunschweig Carnival?
Braunschweig Carnival is a celebration that occurs year after year in the city of Braunschweig, in one of the 16 federal states that make up Germany. The city of Braunschweig is known for being the city of lions in Germany, containing a large number of figures in the shape of this animal.
The Braunschweig carnival is also known as Schoduvel, which is the term used for “Spying the demons“. In addition, this celebration has been part of the city since 1293 and each year, some 300,000 people take to the streets to celebrate these historically significant carnivals.
During the carnivals there are a series of parades with the participation of around 5,000 people and more than 100 allegorical floats that brighten up the streets and avenues with music and carnival colors.
Everyone gathers at the main square in Braunschweig to kick off the carnivals
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When is the Braunschweig Carnival
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The start of carnival takes place on November 11, 2020 which is when an opening ceremony is held as is customary in several areas of Germany. However, the Braunschweig carnivals formally begin on approximately February 14.
History of the Braunschweig Carnival
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The Braunschweig Carnival or “Schoduvel” has a history of about 700 years, thus it is recorded in the City of Lions pointing to the year 1293. This custom has such a peculiar name because it means “to drive away demons or spirits” and that is why people used to perform certain particular rituals. In the days of yore, people would gather in the streets to make a great deal of noise, wearing costumes and behaving in unusual ways to try to scare away terrifying spirits related to cold, danger and even death. In 1979 the first carnivals with children’s parades were traced back to the first carnivals..
Braunschweig carnival has been associated with the term Schoduvel since the past decade and the icons that persist are a bear made of straw and the spring. The Schoduvel is a figure wearing a wooden mask that represents the evil and during the festivities they try to chase it away. During the Braunschweig carnival, the arrival of spring is also commemorated.
Where is the Braunschweig Carnival?
The Braunschweig carnival is held in a city called Braunschweig which is located in Lower Saxony. The carnival parade starts at the Europaplatz and crosses the entire city crossing streets such as the Gördelingerstraße or the Neuestraße.
Colorful and thematic costumes are the soul of Braunschweig’s carnivals
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How is the Braunschweig Carnival celebrated
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The Braunschweig carnival parade traditionally takes place on the Sunday before Rosenmontag. The parade starts at exactly 12:40 pm until 7 pm and goes through the city in its different streets and avenues. During the celebration the different colorful floats with different motifs are displayed. During the celebration, you can find hundreds of toys and sweets everywhere. In addition, the streets of the city are always busy with thousands of people eating, drinking and partying. In addition, most of the bars and restaurants stay open so that after the celebration they continue the party in their establishments.
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Tips for going to the Braunschweig Carnival
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These carnivals are quite crowded, we recommend you to keep your belongings handy to avoid misplacing them. Because it is a very famous carnival, we recommend planning your trip in advance so you can enjoy the carnival without inconveniences.
Events in Braunschweig Carnival
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During the Carnival seasons of Braunschweig it is quite common for people to hold gatherings incorporating the various carnival societies and groups. This celebration takes place in a colorful and joyful atmosphere. In addition, large dances and shows are also held along the streets and avenues where the parades and processions take place.
The parade is led by Marshal Gerhard Baller and the procession is full of colorful floats with different motifs. In addition, you can also observe thousands of figures in the shapes of lions, elephants or even bears made of straw. The latter are part of the carnival tradition in the city.
Imposing and themed floats are part of the Braunschweig parades
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Braunschweig Carnival Parades
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The parades of Braunschweig carnivals have been held for 700 years and are a fairly deep-rooted tradition. There are 3 carnival clubs or associations that organize and carry out the events, the ceremonies and the encounters. The parades are the most emblematic events in the region, as they represent the activities with the largest number of participants, totaling more than 6,000 people each year. During the parade, toys and candies are thrown from the more than 50 carnival floats.
Parade route
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The Braunschweig carnival route has a length of 6 km
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The parade route is quite extensive, as it has a length of 6.5 kilometers in distance and takes a route through the entire city. Normally, the parade has as its starting point the Europaplatz. During the parade it is celebrated with music, dances, toys and sweet candy floss.
Brunswick Mum is a traditional beverage at carnivals
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What to eat at the Carnival in Braunschweig
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One of the most consumed products during the Braunschweig Carnival celebration is the Brunswick Mum, a blonde beer of quite famous regional production. Another of the dishes that are consumed during the holidays is the Prilleken which is a fried doughnut covered with sugar.
If you want to know the different places in the city that offer food, you can approach the restaurants that offer a varied menu both in traditional typical food of the region and international menus. Some of these restaurants you can visit during your next carnival visit are Mutter Habenicht, the Schadts Brauerei Gasthaus or the Restaurant Tandure.
Prilleken are traditional sweet donuts from Braunschweig
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Travel Insurance
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From Carnavalesdelmundo.org we recommend to hire a good insurance to visit this carnival and to know the rest of the country. For being our readers we offer a 5% discount on all IATI insurance. Read more information about all insurance offers here:
What to see and do inside the Braunschweig Carnival
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What better way to experience the carnivals than by actively participating in them? We invite you to be part of the Braunschweig carnival celebrations due to the fact that there are countless activities in which you can participate and have fun. During the carnivals there are meetings of the different gremiums and carnival societies, there are also colorful parties, dances, songs and contests. If you decide to come to the carnivals in Braunschweig, you will never get bored.
What to see and do outside the Braunschweig Carnival
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The city of Braunschweig is full of tourist attractions that you should definitely visit on your next carnival. Some of the most emblematic ones are the following:
Burgplatz
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It is a historical and geographical center that comprises a large number of buildings of great historical and cultural importance. It has been part of the city since the 9th century.
Dankwarderode Castle
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The castle was built between 1160 and 1175. During World War II, it suffered damage to the Knights’ Hall, but was recovered shortly thereafter. Inside the castle you can appreciate the Harzog Museum’s Middle Ages exhibition.
Brunswick Cathedral
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It is a Lutheran church of great importance to the city of Braunschweig. It was built from 1173 to 1195. Within its premises can be found artifacts of great religious value. Here are the tombs of Henry the Lion.
Duke Anton Ulrich Museum
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It is an art museum that was inaugurated in 1887 and has undergone several renovations. Works such as Lady with Two Gentlemen, Portrait of Conrad Detlev von Dehn and The Baptism of Christ reside here.
Safety at the Braunschweig Carnival
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Like all other German cities, Braunschweig is a fairly safe locality. Despite this, being surrounded by a large number of people, it is advisable to keep your belongings in a safe place to avoid theft or misplacement.
Braunschweig is a fairly open and warm city towards foreigners, so you can be sure that you will be treated like family. Also, we recommend the following products to store your belongings safely:
Weather at the Carnival in Braunschweig
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During carnivals, you can experience temperatures varying between -2 and 4 degrees Celsius, comprising precipitation of at least 7 days per month. It is a good idea to bring warm clothes with you so that you can celebrate carnivals without worries.
Music at the Braunschweig carnival lights up the festivities
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How to get to the Braunschweig Carnival
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How to get there by plane
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The closest airport to Braunschweig is Hanover Airport. From there you can take the various means of transportation offered by the city to get you to your desired destination.
How to get there by train
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From the airport you can take the train via ICE 657, then RE50 or using the RE70 track. Taking those tracks you will arrive at the main train station of the city.
How to get there by car
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You can take the A2 or A7 with A39, the journey takes about an hour.
Where to stay at the Braunschweig Carnival
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Hotel Landhaus Seela
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4-star hotel offering free parking. Rooms are equipped with TV and free wifi, some rooms have balconies. The hotel is a 5-minute drive to the A39 freeway.
Frühlings-Hotel
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3 star hotel. It is a 2-minute walk from the historic city center. The rooms offer satellite TV, Wi-Fi and a private bathroom. A buffet breakfast is served every morning.
Mercure Hotel Atrium Braunschweig
3-star hotel. All rooms have private bathrooms, satellite TV and free Wi-Fi. It also offers a restaurant serving international cuisine and a wine menu. It is 2 kilometers from the historic center.
We recommend using Booking.com to book hotels at a good price, check more information here:
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