The scent of 60.000 flowers 

Every year on 24. June (the high feast marking the birth of John the Baptist), the village Zederhaus celebrates, while on 29. June (Feast of Peter & Paul), it is the turn of the village Muhr to mark the feast day of its own patron saint. The highlight of this so-called "Solstice Day" is a church service, followed by a procession of the Prangstangen through town, stopping at four stations of the Gospel.

The colorfully garlanded poles are carried along throughout the procession. These wooden poles are actually 6 to 8 meters high and weigh as much as 85 kg, and they are woven in garlands of fresh alpine and meadow flowers. The various flowers, including daisies, gentian, peonies, lady's mantle, forget-me-not, poppies and many more, are woven into wreaths and then wrapped around the wooden poles to create all kinds of different color patterns. A single Prangstange requires as many as 60,000 fresh flowers and around 300 hours of work. The honor of carrying these heavy poles is reserved exclusively for unmarried men from the village.

 

"When a single guy bears 60,000 flowers, you have arrived in Salzburg's Lungau."

THE FEAST DAYS IN MUHR AND ZEDERHAUS

Afterwards, the flower-covered poles remain on display in the church until 15 August, Assumption Day. On this day they are blessed and carried home to be made into incense, which is then used to bless the houses and farms on special days including Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, as well as on the evening before Epiphany.


This centuries-old tradition has its roots, according to common belief, in a plague of locusts that destroyed vegetation in the region, except for daisies. In their moment of need, area farmers pledged to the Almighty that they would create such floral poles every year, in order to thus be spared from similar natural catastrophes in future.

Annual program in the village Zederhaus: 
  • 23. June: ca. 6.00 pm The Prangstangen are brought to the parish church accompanied by the town band.
  • 24. June: 8.30 am Worship service followed, at 9.00 am, by the Prangstangen procession (lasting until around 12 noon)
  • 15. August: 8.30 Blessing of the flowers

 

Annual program in the village Muhr:
  • 28. June: The Prangstangen are brought to the parish church accompanied by the town band.
  • 29. June: 9.00 am "Prangtag" with worship service followed by Prangstangen procession and, at around 2.00 pm, the Samson parade.
  • 15. August: Herbal consecration

All folk traditions

MORE ABOUT SALZBURGS LUNGAU

Places in Salzburg's Lungau

Mit der LungauCard erwartet Lungau-Urlauber inThe 15 individual villages offer perfect vacation conditions due to its particularly wind-protected location as well as the ideal sea level of over 1,000 m on average.  der Sommersaison eine riesengroße Vielfalt.

Events in Salzburg's Lungau

You don't have any plans for today? Then take a look at our calendar of events, in Salzburg Lungau there is always something to experience.You don't have any plans for today? Then take a look at our calendar of events, in Salzburg Lungau there is always something to experience.

being.genuine. in Salzburg's Lungau

Relaxing and decelerating, both are possible in Salzburg's Lungau, both "Still" and "Sparkling". The offers on the theme of "being.genuine." guarantee a deceleration of all senses.

LungauCard Winter

With the LungauCard, Lungau vacationers can expect a huge variety in the winter season.

UNESCO Biosphere reserve

This important award stands for the special quality as a natural region as well as for the quality of life, for the preservation of old traditions and the cultivation of the own culture.

Impressions

"Pictures say more than words" - so let yourself be enchanted by our impressions of the Lungau natural & cultural landscape. The Salzburg Lungau is only more beautiful when you experience it "live".

Customs & Tradition

The vacation region of Salzburg's Lungau is famous for its lively customs culture. Here, alpine traditions and customs still play a central role.

History

The presence of people in Salzburg's Lungau has been secured by individual finds since the younger Stone Age. Learn more about the history of the Lungau.