Maundy Thursday 2025
Date: April 17, 2025 (Thursday)
Country: Germany Public Holidays
Description
Maundy Thursday in Germany is called Gründonnerstag. It is a Christian day that remembers the last day Jesus spent with his friends before his death. People think about his teachings of service, love and community on this day.
The holiday takes place on the Thursday before Easter Sunday. That means its date changes each year. It always falls during Holy Week, the final week of Lent leading up to Easter. In Germany this is usually in March or April.
The day is important because it marks the beginning of the most serious part of Christian holy days. It prepares believers for Good Friday and Easter, which tell the story of suffering and new life. It helps people focus on the meaning of sacrifice and hope.
In Germany Gründonnerstag has cultural and religious weight. For many it is a quiet, reflective time. Churches and communities pay attention, and it connects people to a long history of faith and shared memory.
Traditions
Many German churches hold special evening services with communion, choral singing, and the ritual of washing feet in some parishes. Altars are often stripped or covered and bells are silenced until Easter, creating a quiet, reflective mood.
Families and communities sometimes share simple meals. In many regions people eat lamb or fish, boiled eggs, and green vegetables or herbs. Bakery goods and sweet breads with eggs are common at home after services.
Small local customs include candlelit processions, church choirs singing, and volunteer groups preparing communal dinner or cleaning churches. In towns with strong traditions people may reenact washing or hold quiet vigils through the night.
Travel Tips
Many shops, banks and some museums are closed on Maundy Thursday. Trains and buses run but may have reduced schedules. Check timetables in advance, buy tickets early, and carry a printed plan. Pharmacies have emergency shifts, look up the nearest one.
Book restaurants and attractions ahead because popular spots fill fast. Expect crowds near churches and city centers at service times. Dress respectfully, keep noise low, and follow local signs. Carry ID, a charged phone, and a small cash amount for small shops or markets.