Procession of God in Mülheim

The Mülheimer Gottestracht is a special Corpus Christi procession in Mülheim am Rhein, which takes place both on land and on the Rhine. The name “Gottestracht” means the carrying of God, i.e. Jesus Christ in the sacrament.

The history: The exact origins of the festival are not fully documented, but it is assumed that the tradition dates back to the first half of the 14th century. Historical records from the 16th century mention the procession and its route through various places, including Dünnwald and Buchheim. Legend has it that the procession originated after a church robber attempted to steal sacred objects but his boat was mysteriously captured on the Rhine.

Highlights: The procession begins with a Eucharistic celebration in the Liebfrauenkirche. This is followed by the land procession, which leads through various streets before the participants arrive on the banks of the Rhine. This is where the boat procession begins, in which the Blessed Sacrament is carried across the Rhine on a boat, accompanied by numerous boats. The blessing is given both on land and on the river.

Special features: A unique feature of the Mülheim procession is the combination of land and boat procession, which reflects the city's close connection with the Rhine. Since 1802, the St. Sebastianus-Schützenbruderschaft has accompanied the procession as a kind of guard of honor. Participation is open to all, either on the procession boat or on accompanying boats.