Aigen am Inn: Pilgrimage and Local History

In Aigen am Inn, the Church of St. Leonhard, the Leonhardi procession and the buildings in the historic town center reflect different aspects of local history. Specific dates are also useful for planning your trip: the procession takes place every year on one of the first Sundays in November. The Leonhardi Museum has its own opening period for 2026, which you can take into account when choosing when to visit.

Churches and the historic town center

The pilgrimage church of St. Leonhard is a two-aisled hall church with central pillars. The parish church of St. Stephen has a different building history: it was rebuilt between 1470 and 1518. The two churches can therefore be distinguished both by their names and by their different historical backgrounds.

The Aigen a.Inn town center ensemble also includes the northeastern part of Herrenstraße. It represents the historic center of the large, old fishing and farming village on the left bank of the Inn, which was also formerly an administrative center. At Herrenstraße 5 stands the former Prince-Bishop’s tithe barn, a substantial tuff-block building dating from the third quarter of the 15th century. It has two storage floors; its former uses included an administrative residence until 1704 and a tavern. The building’s form, storage floors and former functions offer a different historical perspective from the churches.

A prince-bishop’s hunting lodge is also part of the town’s history: Cardinal Prince-Bishop Johann Philipp Count of Lamberg had it built in Aigen am Inn in 1704. The so-called Würdinger point to another local tradition. These large iron figures were used to test one’s strength.

Leonhardi pilgrimage, procession and museum

The large Leonhardi procession is an annual event and takes place on one of the first Sundays in November. It features more than 100 horses, horse-drawn carriages and historic costumes. As part of the Leonhardi pilgrimage, pilgrims mainly brought small iron votive animals. The pilgrimage and the procession thus offer different ways to experience the Leonhardi tradition: religious offerings on the one hand, and the recurring procession with horses and carriages on the other.

The Leonhardi Museum in Aigen am Inn is dedicated to the Leonhardi pilgrimage and is housed in the Leonhardi barn. More than 200 votive and sacrificial offerings made of iron, wax, silver and wood are on display there. In 2026, the museum is open from April 7 to October 29. If you are traveling after this period, check the opening dates again before your visit. This lets you plan your museum visit separately from the procession, which takes place every year in November.

Cycling route and other activities

The Bad Füssing Church Cycling Route is 30 kilometers long and passes the pilgrimage church of St. Leonhard. It is not explicitly signposted; take this into account when planning your tour. The route is therefore a specific option for cyclists who would like to include the church in a longer ride.

Holiday activities offered in Aigen am Inn include cycling, golf, horseback riding and Bavarian ice stock sport. They also include sitting by the Inn and watching anglers. The options listed range from active pursuits to a relaxing stay by the river. Which of these activities you choose may also play a role in deciding when to travel.

When to travel and finding a hotel

If you are looking for a hotel in Aigen am Inn, the pilgrimage, museum or cycling route may be the reason for your trip. The procession is scheduled for one of the first Sundays in November; the museum’s 2026 opening period ends on October 29. Plan your visit around the event you have in mind, and check the museum’s opening dates again for later years. This way, you can choose your travel dates based on what you would like to experience in Aigen am Inn, rather than treating the different dates as if they were the same.

Discover more destinations: Egglfing am Inn

For the main travel overview: Bad Füssing.