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Traditions and Customs
Genuine, Traditional and Alive
The utmost importance is placed on traditions in the Salzburger Saalachtal. Many locals are active in one or more associations making it possible to preserve the traditional customs and cultural diversity of the region.
Tradition plays an important role in Salzburger Land and much effort is made to keep this alive. Every separate region has its own customs and traditions. These have great cultural value and are practised in many different fields. From differing local costumes and dialects, to festivals and handicrafts and knowledge, It is important to continue these customs as an expression of our mindset. These traditions are cared for and passed on from generation to generation with much love and time.
The people of the Salzburger Saalachtal are deeply-rooted in their region. Tradition isn’t just a thing of the past; it is a part of daily life and local culture.
Old Traditions…“Go Smoking“
A very old custom which is still practised in many farmhouses in the Salzburger Saalachtal is „Rachn geh“. On the „Smoke Nights“ of Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and the Epiphany a smoking pan is filled with incense and herbs and the smoke is used to purify the home. The previous year is brought to a close and the inhabitants prepare for the new year.
Rare and Unique…The Tresterer in the Salzburger Saalachtal
The „ Perchtenlauf“ is one of the oldest folk traditions in Salzburger Land. Groups of „Perchten“ including the Schönperchten (pretty perchten), the Schiachperchten (ugly perchten), the „Kasperl“ and „Pater“ appear in the villages.
The Tresterer – the Schönperchten – are rare and unique to Unken. On the Feast of the Epiphany they make their way from farmhouse to farmhouse to bring luck and blessings for the new year.
Well Worth Seeing…. The Salzburger Harvest Festival
Another tradition worth seeing is the home-coming parade of the cattle at the Harvest Festival. The heads of the cows are decorated with many flowers and they wear their cow-bells with pride – the animals are „aufgekranzt“ or crowned, as we say colloquially. Special delicacies from Pinzgau are served at this time of year. There are demonstrations by children’s groups from the traditional costume associations „ D´Stoaberger“ and „D`Saalachtaler“, Schnalzer groups and there are also special craft markets to visit.
Tangible History… The Kalchofengut
Anyone who would like to find out more about the history of the Salzburger Saalachtal should pay a visit to the Kalchofengut, an old farmhouse dating from the 13th Century, which has been turned into a museum of local traditions and culture. Here visitors can marvel at old forms of fencing, a kitchen range and parlour, traditional furnishings and sculptures of saints as well as historic objects from livestock and arable farming, alpine farming and the timber industry.
In every case there is so much to discover and you can get to know the Salzburger Saalachtal from a very special side – genuine, traditional and alive.