Advent tales and customs of SalzburgerLand

Traditional pre-Christmas customs in SalzburgerLand

In the dark of night, in the distance you will hear the sound of jangling chains and bells and it won’t be too long before the “Krampus” comes into view. Traditionally, Krampus Night is the night before St. Nicholas Day on the 6th December, when St. Nicholas distributes presents to all children who have been well behaved throughout the year. The Krampus visits the children who have been naughty and is a fur-clad figure with a huge elaborately decorated mask along with horns. From the beginning of December, there are Krampus runs, where groups of local lads run through the villages with bundles of birch branches. Many of the masks are collector's items and you can often observe artists carving these masks at the Christmas markets in SalzburgerLand.

Aromatic Advent

One, then two, then three, then four… Each Sunday during Advent a candle is lit on the Advent wreath. The excitement mounts and children’s eyes light up with delight. The traditional Advent wreath is made with entwined fir tree branches, which are decorated with ribbons, scented cones, mistletoe and baubles. Four candles are placed upon the wreath and one candle is lit every Sunday during Advent. In many villages, there are workshops that you can join to learn the art of wreath making.

The air is filled with the aromas of incense and dried herbs during the Advent period. The burning of incense takes place over 12 days, but most particularly during the four nights of 21^st December (St. Thomas Night), 24^th December (Christmas Eve), 31^st December (New Year`s Eve), and 5^th January (Night of the Three Kings). These nights are said to be particularly mysterious, and many families in SalzburgerLand burn incense and dried herbs in order to keep evil spirits at bay and bless and protect the inhabitants of the house.

The “Anklöckler”

“Klöckln” is the old word for knocking, and each Thursday in the lead up to Christmas a group of people gather and go from house to house knocking on front doors offering messages of goodwill and singing carols. It is believed that the loud knocking on doors will banish evil spirits from the home. If the owner of the house presents the “Anklöckler” with small gifts, such as the Kletzenbrot fruit cake, the house will be blessed for the coming year. In the region of Pinzgau, the Anklöckler can be seen dressed as Joseph and Mary. What is a well-loved ;tradition today, was years ago a more ne

cessary task carried out by servants, as the gifts pro

vided them with food during the winter months.

“Anklöckler” © SalzburgerLand Tourismus, Anglöckler

traditional Krampus run — “Krampus” ©SalzburgerLand Tourismus – Traditional Krampus run

© SalzburgerLand Tourismus, Traditions in SalzburgerLand

“Frautragen”

This very old custom is familiar in only a few rural areas of SalzburgerLand. On the first Saturday of Advent, a painting of the Virgin Mary or statue of the Madonna, is taken from house to house. The roots of this tradition date back to the year 1780 and it is said that a visit not only brings blessings to the house, but also enhances fertility.

“Kripperlschauen”

A visit to the nativity scene is not just a pastime for children during the Advent period. The detailed replica of the birth of Christ is equally as fascinating for adults. Many families make a nativity scene, as well as a Christmas wreath, and many towns and villages have a nativity scene that is on display for the public. The Schloss Ritzen museum in Saalfelden is home to one of the largest nativity displays, the collection of crib maker Xandi Schläffer (1899 – 1984), who was famous both near and far for his artistic nativity scenes.

“Bachlschneid”

Before the family festivities begin, there is work to be finished on the farm. On 24^th December, the farmer starts the annual process of sharpening all the farmhouse knives. If the job is not completed on this day, the farmer will take the knives to the local blacksmith. The Hüttschmiede Forge in Leogang dates back to 1599 and was re-opened a few years ago. Every year on the Friday before Christmas, the forge opens its gates for Bachlschneid and everyone who brings their knives to be sharpened will be offered Glühwein and Kletzenbrot.