The God of Farmers - Leonhardi Ride in Schliersee

Leonhard of Limoges, whose saint´s day is 6th of november, was a franconian noble and lived at the court of the Merovingians before he left his home and dedicated his life to christianity. In rural and alpine areas of Europe he is one of the most venerated saints, known above all as the patron saint for convicts and for cattle and horses. As in many bavarian villages in Schliersee most families participate in this old tradition. Women and girls put on their traditional costumes and their herited family jewellery, men and boys deck out horses with shining harnesses and adorn them with flowers and ribbons. Sitting on the carts or riding on horseback the faithful pray until they reach the pilgrimage church where all participants, men and animals, receive the blessing of the priest…