Corpus Christi in Munich: procession and bus diversions on the holiday!

Corpus Christi in Munich: procession and bus diversions on the holiday!

On Thursday, June 17, 2025, the Catholic community in Bavaria will celebrate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, better known as Corpus Christi. This festival has a long tradition dating back to the 13th century and has been anchored in the diocese of Liège since 1246. In 1264, Pope Urban IV set the date for the second Thursday after Pentecost, which led to the establishment of numerous celebrations and processions in the following centuries. The festive parades and customs, such as the wearing of white dresses by young girls, are particularly widespread in southern Germany, and in Munich this day is also celebrated with a procession, which is an important highlight of the church year for many believers. However, even Martin Luther could not come to terms with the reification of the body and blood of Christ, which made Corpus Christi a denominational marker.

The traditional procession in Munich begins after a festive mass with Cardinal Mark on Marienplatz and leads to Ludwigskirche and back. An important note for everyone who would like to take part in this celebration: Due to the procession, there will be extensive restrictions on bus routes in the city center area. As tz.de reports, these restrictions are to be expected between 5 a.m. and around 3 p.m., especially around Ludwigstrasse and Odeonsplatz.

Detours and stop changes

There will be immediate changes for bus lines 58 and 68, as they will be rerouted between Giselastraße and Pinakotheken. Stops such as Georgenstrasse, Siegestor, Universität, Amalienstrasse and the popular stops in Maxvorstadt are no longer available. In the direction of Ostbahnhof, the Pinakotheken stop will be relocated to the tram 27 stop in the direction of Petuelring.
Bus route 100 will be rerouted through the Altstadtringtunnel between 8 and 11:30 a.m. Among other things, the Königstraße and Odeonsplatz stops are no longer available here.
Bus route 153 has a shortened route, which means that the stops near the university are no longer served.
The situation is similar with bus line 154, which also does not serve stops in Maxvorstadt.

These diversions are a direct result of the procession, which, as the Archdiocese of Munich points out, has no longer led via Ludwigstrasse for several years, but turns into Brienner Strasse at the Feldherrnhalle. This street has great historical significance as it represented an important connection between the residence and Nymphenburg Palace during the Wittelsbach era.

Corpus Christi in a larger context

Corpus Christi, which is celebrated as a public holiday in several federal states such as Bavaria, has changed enormously in the last few centuries. The deep religious roots, which go back to the first Council of Trent in the 16th century, shaped the course of the celebrations. In larger cities, such as Munich, the varied traditions and festive atmosphere on Corpus Christi Day can be felt in the city.
Some farming rules state that a clear day on Corpus Christi indicates a good year. These popular beliefs give the day an additional charming character.

In the coming years, Corpus Christi will continue to be a central element in the church life of communities in Bavaria. The next dates after 2025 are June 19, 2026 and May 27, 2027, as can be found on ferien-deutschland.de.