The Stille Omgang (Silent Procession) is one of Amsterdam’s most remarkable traditions: in the night from Saturday to Sunday in mid-March 2027, thousands of pilgrims walk a silent nocturnal route through the medieval city centre. Exact date to be confirmed.

The Miracle of Amsterdam

The procession commemorates the Miracle of Amsterdam of 1345, when a communion wafer thrown into a fire remained unburned. The site became one of Europe’s great pilgrimage destinations and made medieval Amsterdam a holy city – the Heiligeweg (‘Holy Way’) shopping street still carries the name of the pilgrims’ route. Since 1881, Catholics have walked the route in silence, at night, without banners or song.

Experiencing the Stille Omgang

• The route follows the old pilgrims’ path through the Kalverstraat, Nieuwendijk and the oldest canals
• Between midnight and 04:00, groups of silent walkers move through the sleeping city – a surreal sight against the nightlife around them
• Anyone may join; churches along the route hold night masses

Practical information

• When: a Saturday night in mid-March 2027 – see stille-omgang.nl
• Where: medieval city centre, start and end at the Spui area
• Costs: free

The route crosses the oldest part of the canal district – by day, it doubles as a beautiful self-guided history walk.