The Kaltenberger Ritterturnier Image source and credit: BreakingStereotypes.org

The Kaltenberger Ritterturnier Image source and credit: BreakingStereotypes.org
From the Breaking Stereotypes team for FirstStep.me
 
In 2001 A Knights Tale was released starring the now late Heath Ledger...
It was full of pomp and merged modern day pop culture with medieval ruggedness. It kicked off with “We will rock you” by Queen and genuinely entertained. Audiences discovered a notion that knights equated to an early version of high profile rock ‘n roll sport stars type celeb A-list people! From chivalrous antics to action packed jousting and sword fighting, being a knight quite simply Rocked!
 
So when I was given the chance to live the adventure first hand – I jumped at it. Welcome to the modern adventures of Knights, Wizards, Witches, Kings, Queens and Barbarian Hordes!
 
Welcome to the Kaltenberger Ritterturnier
 
In the case of a Knights Tale which was set amongst the landscapes of England, my adventure however found me in a different place altogether, Bavaria. More specifically in Kaltenberg, which is a charming drive from the city of Munich and for one month a year, is the home to a journey back in time.

The Kaltenberger Ritterturnier Image source and credit: BreakingStereotypes.org

The Kaltenberger Ritterturnier Image source and credit: BreakingStereotypes.org
 
The Kaltenberger Rittertunier has been around for over 30-years and is hosted by Prince Luitpold of Bavaria with the premise of showcasing medieval flair and culture.
 
I arrived wearing jeans and a shirt which didn’t help me much. I had ventured into a world that totally embraces the concept of going back in time. It seemed that my attire made me standout like a sore thumb, as a person dressed like Robin Hood, well, I think it was Robin Hood. I received many an angry glare for not dressing appropriately. Feeling out of place much? Yes!
 
The setup for the Kaltenberger Ritterturnier is placed in an almost fort like city. I am not even sure if that makes sense.... but it was awesome! Inside was a castle, an arena, an array of markets and of course various villages where different tribes, individuals and groups lived. People literally stay in character the whole weekend. At the end of every weekend that month they go back to their normal day-to-day activities only the return after clocking out at the end of the work week. Best don’t try and get in the way of these weekend superhero. They don’t have superpowers, and most wear their underpants and designed – on the inside – but they super cool nevertheless.

The Kaltenberger Ritterturnier Image source and credit: BreakingStereotypes.org The Kaltenberger Ritterturnier Image source and credit: Kaltenberger Ritterturnier
 
I eventually encountered the chief of a Barbarian-Bavarian-horde who worked at a high school during the week; a Black Knight doing his Masters in Civil Engineering in Munich who obviously explained how difficult it is to put on the heavy weighted armour and a Crystal Ball Magician named Reuben. Oh, and don’t forget the witch who turned into a Spider named Roxanne – yip true story – her name was Roxanne! Sorry, I meant yes, true story she turned into a spider! All the while I was surrounded by local artisans selling original jewellery styled on period designs, whilst Bavarian food and beer ran thick through local “taverns”.
 
The arena hosted the main event - an adventure of good versus evil. A battle of a royal family of knights against an evil dark Knight and his band of Black Knights! Ghoulish and colossal, styled as an action packed legend, the story is narrated as though a fairy tale which is energised with a heart stopping soundtrack. This is no pantomime and the action is as close to real as it gets, with the jousting showing the serious power and strength of both the knights and their steeds. The battle scenes were engulfed with fiery arrows and blistering sword fights. At the end of it all, good obviously prevails over evil and the crowds of onlookers cheered for their champion knights as they victoriously paraded around the arena.

The Kaltenberger Ritterturnier Image source and credit: BreakingStereotypes.org

The Kaltenberger Ritterturnier Image source and credit: BreakingStereotypes.org
 
Slowly the energy subsides and the arena empties. For a few hours I felt as though the modern world had disappeared and I was lost in a place time had forgotten.  
As the sun sets the nightlife drives an ever interesting presence, taverns come to life with the odd barbarian here and Black Knight there. The adventure continues well after the show has ended, allowing the ever present individual to hold onto the past just for that extra bit longer.
 
After all it’s not everyday that you get to live the life of the old in the new…
 
About: The Kaltenberger Ritterturnier is an annual showcase held in Bavaria - find out more Ritterturnier.de.
 
*Many thanks to the Kaltenberger Ritterturnier for hosting the FirstStep.me/Breaking Stereotypes team.