German phrase of the day: Auf der Walz

What does Auf der Walz mean?

Literally, auf der Walz translates as “on the roam”. Walz in this context is a colloquial term for die Wanderschaft – a German noun referring to a period of travel.

Specifically, the phrase refers to the traditional, years-long nomadic training period that skilled tradesmen embark on after completing their initial studies.

Originating in medieval guilds, this centuries-old rite was originally intended to prevent competition for local jobs and spread regional techniques.

Journeymen (Gesellen) set off on for foot for a period of three years and one day, during which time they’re forbidden from returning home. Historically, it was a prerequisite for becoming a master craftsman.

Why do I need to know Auf der Walz?

This is a tradition which showcases Germany's reverence for craftsmanship, and still fosters resilience, adaptability and knowledge exchange today.

Each year, about 500 German journeymen and women – in trades like carpentry, blacksmithing, masonry and roofing – choose to go auf der Walz.

While die Wanderschaft is voluntary these days, strict rules endure for those who do decide to take the plunge. Wandering Gesellen must respect a 50-60km exclusion zone around their homes, for example.

In addition, they aren’t allowed to carry money (beyond a bit of pocket money from their hosts), phones or modern tech. Nor are they allowed to spend more than three months in a single workplace.

These rules are taken seriously and laid down by regional guilds or "Schächte".

Residents in Germany might glimpse these enigmatic wanderers walking or hitchhiking (never driving), in villages, at craft fairs or outside traditional workshops.

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They’re generally easy to spot. Dressed in a guild uniform called the Kluft, they sport a black slouch hat (Schlapphut), collarless white shirt (Staude), velvet vest and jacket, and flared trousers (Zunfthose).

They also often carry a curved walking staff (Stenz), a rolled bundle (Bündel) of all their worldly goods and a leather-bound wander book (Wanderbuch) in which they collect job stamps.

Use it like this:

Wenn du jemanden siehst, der mit seinem Stenz und Bündel trampend unterwegs ist, ist das wahrscheinlich ein Zimmermann, der auf der Walz ist.  

If you see someone hitchhiking with a staff and bundle, it’s probably a journeyman carpenter who’s taken to the road.  

Ich habe einen Gesellen auf der Walz getroffen, der Geschichten über Schmiedekünste von München bis zur Ostsee erzählte.

I met a wandering journeyman who told me stories about perfecting his skills on projects from Munich to the Baltic.

„Auf die Walz gehen“ bedeutet, drei Jahre und einen Tag lang in voller Kluft unterwegs zu sein – ohne Rucksack oder Smartphone.

“Auf die Walz gehen” means hitting the road for three years and one day, in the right clothes and without a backpack or smartphone.

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Werkstattbesitzer lieben es, Gesellen auf der Walz einzustellen, weil sie frische Techniken mitbringen und für Kost, Logis und Taschengeld arbeiten.

Workshop owners love hiring wandering journeymen because as they bring fresh techniques and work for board and pocket money.