Traditional Easter Customs in the Salzburg Lungau Region

Easter time in the Salzburg Lungau region is a celebration of living traditions and colorful customs. Each community cultivates its own rituals, which are passed down from generation to generation and make Easter an incomparable experience.

Colorful decorated Easter eggs with leaf patterns in a basket, typical of traditional Salzburger Lungau style.

The traditional Easter bonfire is impressive, but not the sole Easter customs in the Lungau region. Many other traditions play a central role too and make this time of the year something very special. From solemn processions to lovingly designed Easter nests – the unique traditions in the Salzburg Lungau region create a festive and contemplative atmosphere.

Pussy willow branches with colorful ribbons against a snowy mountain backdrop in Salzburg Lungau region.

Carrying the "Palmbuschn"

The so-called Palmbuschn (Palm posies) made of willow and beech branches and carried in the Palm Sunday procession are reminiscent of the palm branches at Jesus Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The Palm posies are usually tied by the father or grandfather of a family and decorated with colorful crepe or tissue paper bows and florets. After sanctification, they are carried into the family's garden or field as a symbol of defense and fertility or kept in the house and used as consecration herbs on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

Grawirlach Eggs

The painting of eggs for Easter began in the 12th/13th century and the red Easter egg was the norm in Austria until the beginning of the First World War. Soon after, Easter eggs appeared in a wide variety of colors and are not only dyed, but also carved, sprinkled, written on, glued and painted on today. A special feature in the Salzburg Lungau region is the dyeing of so-called "Grawirlach eggs".

How is it done? A boiled egg is placed on a linen cloth covered with "Grawirlach" (shaggy, green chervil herb), "Kasbleamen" (small crocuses, sometimes also primeroses) and onion skins, then the linen gets wrapped and tied together at both ends and the wrapped egg is placed in the egg dye for a few minutes. This creates particularly beautiful and unique patterns on the eggshell. Easter eggs are a symbol of fertility and restart.

Basket of naturally dyed Easter eggs with leaf patterns in grass, with yellow flowers in the background, Salzburg Lungau region.

©Lilly Macheiner

A group of boys in winter jackets and traditional attire pose with wooden carts outside a historic building in Salzburg Lungau region.

The Ratscherbuben

From Maundy Thursday to Good Friday, it is mostly schoolchildren who parade through the villages of the Salzburg Lungau region with their rattling drums (made from wood), announcing the times in front of the houses and singing: "Wir ratschen, wir ratschen den englischen Gruas (= Engelsgruß), den jeder Christgläubige betn muas. Foits niada auf enkane Knia, bets drei Vaterunser und an Ave Maria" (translation: We rattle, we rattle the holy greeting, that every Chrisitan shall pray. Fall down on your knees, pray three Our Father and a Hail Mary). On the last day of this tradition they sing: "Wir ratschen und ratschen zum letzten Mal z'samm, weil die Glocken sind wieder da aus Rom." (translation: We rattle and rattle together for the last time, because the bells are back from Rome.) Then they go into the houses and ask for a small gift – usually a red egg, sweets, or some money.

The Gonesrennen

In this ancient game in Wölting, girls and boys line up in pairs on Easter Monday. One boy – the "Gones" (Gander) – calls out "Gones, Gones, kikeriki - des letzten Paarl her für mi!". One couple, boy and girl, runs forward separately as quickly as possible, and if the Gones manages to catch the girl, the losing boy becomes the new Gones.