The Easter Bonfire in the Salzburg Lungau Region

The Easter bonfire is one of the oldest and most impressive customs in the Salzburg Lungau region. Every year at Easter time, the young people of Lungau create true masterpieces: fires up to 12 meters high, which are lit the night from Holy Saturday to Easter Sunday.

Bonfire with tall wooden structure burning at night in Salzburger Lungau, surrounded by people and distant lit village.

Lighting the Easter bonfire is more than just a spectacle. It is a precious moment when the community comes together to celebrate an ancient tradition.

Origin and History

Already in pre-Christian times, people lit fires in honor of the goddess Ostara and paid homage to her with a specific festival of light. In 739, St. Boniface reported on the Easter fires of the Germanic tribes, whose customs he tried to eradicate with great zeal. From this time onwards, the church sanctified the Easter bonfire and thus gave it a Christian character.

The custom of Easter fires has been preserved up to this day. The following allegedly true story is also linked to these Lungau Easter bonfires: When the French invaded the Lungau region in 1797, they were so surprised by the traditional Easter gunfire and thought they were surrounded by enemies lurking all over the place. So they fled head over heels.

 

Burning cross made of wood on fire at night, with bright flames and sparks, Salzburg Lungau region tradition.

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