Medieval Festival in Heidelberg: Discover the secrets of food culture!

Medieval Festival in Heidelberg: Discover the secrets of food culture!

On June 27, 2025, a fascinating Middle Ages Day will take place at the University of Heidelberg that will examine the role of animals in the Middle Ages. The opening lecture on the topic “From the Sea” will be given by Prof. Dr. Nikolas Jaspert held and illuminated the importance of marine creatures in medieval society. Scientists will then give 30-minute lectures dealing with, among other things, vegetarianism in the Middle Ages, the symbols of eagles and lions on coats of arms and animals in castles. These topics provide an interesting look at the food culture and social structures of the time.

The program also offers hands-on workshops that explore the biblical beasts in medieval books. There is also an exciting journey through fantastic worlds with animal people and the wonders of the Orient. For younger visitors, there are children's activities such as folding paper animals and trying out historical games. Participants can test their knowledge of animals from legal history in a quiz known as “Saubär and Tomcat Hen”.

Nutrition in the Middle Ages

A central theme of the Medieval Day will also be the diet at that time. It is often incorrectly assumed that in the Middle Ages people would have starved to death without meat. However, as Friedrich and Hildegard's study shows, there were numerous meatless recipes during Lent, and vegetarian and vegan dishes were certainly present, even if the concepts did not correspond to modern equivalents. The diet in the Middle Ages varied greatly and depended on factors such as social class, season and regional fasting rules.

At the highest level, diet was better documented, while the eating habits of ordinary people often faded into the background. The food culture was strongly influenced by regionally available food and the challenges that arose from famine and bad harvests. Fish and vegetables played an important role in the diet, especially during the 150 days of fasting, when the consumption of meat and animal products was severely restricted.

The influence of technical advances such as the three-field economy and the cultural exchange through the Crusades alone led to an expanded food supply. Bread - also eaten daily by the poorer classes in the 13th century - as well as domestic pigs and chickens were common foods. The educational journey through the food culture of the Middle Ages shows that there was also a diverse spectrum of preparation options in the area of ​​vegetarian nutrition.

Cultural events and tastings

The Medieval Day not only offers lectures and workshops, but also a fencing demonstration in the inner courtyard of the New University and samples of medieval cuisine. Visitors can look forward to the cooking skills of that time and see how dishes were put together, which often included vegetarian and vegan options. An analysis of medieval cookbooks proves the existence of such recipes; the use of almond milk and other plant-based ingredients was not an uncommon phenomenon.

The musical conclusion of the day is provided by the German Studies Choir and rounds off an informative and entertaining program. The event is organized by various institutes at Heidelberg University and the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with other educational institutions, which shows how important the thematic interplay between history, nutrition and culture is.

For more information about the sights and food culture in the Middle Ages you can also visit the Wikipedia page Food culture in the Middle Ages visit.