The Bleiburg Wiesenmarkt – the largest and oldest folk festival in southern Carinthia – has been held since 1393 and will take place this year from Friday, 29 August to Monday, 1 September 2025.
99 Years Before the Discovery of America
To promote the development of the town of Bleiburg, which was in severe economic distress following major devastation, Duke Albrecht granted the right to hold a meadow market on 16 March 1393. The market was to take place on 15 August. Even the first markets sparked major disputes, leading to the election of a special town judge on 10 September 1393 to resolve these conflicts. The most notable judge was Hanns Katschnik, who in 1428 drew up a contract between the town of Bleiburg and the owner of the meadow regarding usage rights – a contract still valid today. It is one of the oldest legal customs still in force in Europe!
Since then, each year the town representatives present the owner of the meadow with a red velvet pouch containing 2 lots (an old unit of measurement) of nutmeg and cloves, as well as the smallest coins in circulation, in recognition of the right to use the meadow.
As a symbol of the market, the “Freyung” is erected every year – a tall decorated pole with an arm and sword affixed at the top, visibly signalling that the Duke’s authority watches over the observance of the market rules and punishes any wrongdoing. Since 1994, the Freyung has been erected at the Freyung Fountain, designed by Kiki Kogelnik, in Bleiburg’s main square.
The market soon became the largest livestock market in southern Carinthia, attracting traders and buyers from Carinthia, Styria, Carniola and even Italy. For many people, the market was the only opportunity each year to purchase certain goods, and so they would often buy their annual supply of clothing, crockery, tools, and more at the Bleiburg Wiesenmarkt.
Until 1842, the Wiesenmarkt was held without interruption each year on 15 August. Then, on 22 July 1842, Emperor Ferdinand I fulfilled a long-standing wish of the citizens and moved the Wiesenmarkt to the Monday on or after Egyd Day (1 September).
Since then, the Bleiburg Wiesenmarkt has always taken place in early September. Each year, the market has grown in size and significance, and in 2025, over 300 traders and showmen are once again expected to take part.
Throughout its history, the Wiesenmarkt has increasingly become a social and intercultural event.
The many marquees hosted by local businesses serve as popular gathering places, and the large amusement park continues to draw more and more visitors to Bleiburg. Conservative estimates suggest that more than 100,000 people visit the Bleiburg Wiesenmarkt each year.
The event is organised by the town of Bleiburg. Political responsibility lies with the mayor, who also serves as the market coordinator. He is supported by the municipal team, with Arthur Ottowitz, who has been market manager since 1995, overseeing the organisation of the Wiesenmarkt.
In 1393 (99 years before the discovery of America), the first Bleiburg Wiesenmarkt was held – and it has always held a special fascination for people. Over the centuries, it has naturally changed its appearance many times and adapted to the spirit of the times, but it has always remained a place where people come together peacefully to trade and to celebrate.
Bleiburg Wiesenmarkt 2025
When a festival looks back on more than 600 years of tradition, there is no need to “reinvent” it every year. The true sensation of the Bleiburg Wiesenmarkt is not in presenting something “never seen before” or in creating an unbeatable “mega-event”, but rather in the fact that for 632 (!) years, people have gathered at the same place at the same time each year (with the exception of 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic) to trade and celebrate together!
However, to stay in tune with the times, it is important to continuously make small improvements – introducing new attractions in the amusement park and market stalls, improving infrastructure, and more.