The Prangstangen processions are undisputedly one of the most colorful and impressive traditions in the Salzburg Lungau region. In Zederhaus and Muhr, wooden poles up to eight meters high are painstakingly decorated with flowers previously picked from summer and alpine meadows.
On the feast day, the magnificent celestial poles are carried in the solemn procession by unmarried boys through the village and after the procession into the church, where they remain as a symbol of life until Assumption Day (August 15). After August 15 (sanctification of herbs), the flowers are taken off and used as incense in winter.
According to the records, this tradition goes back to a plague of locusts which destroyed all the vegetation except the "Sonnwendla" (field daisy). In their distress, the farmers in this area vowed to the Lord to create such flower poles every year in order to be untroubled by such natural disasters in the future.
Annual Procedure in Zederhaus
June 21 to 23:
Wreath-making and wrapping of the Prangstangen
June 23:
About 5 pm: Presentation of the Prangstangen
June 24:
8.30 am: festival service; 9.30 am: procession of the Prangstangen until approx. 12 pm
August 15:
8.30 am: Sanctification of the herbs in the parish church, after the service the Prangstangen are taken out of the church, briefly disposed at the war memorial opposite the church, and then taken home to the farms
Annual Procedure in Muhr
June 28:
Around 7.30 pm: Presentation and blessing of the Prangstangen at the Mesnerkapelle chapel, followed by a service and agape in front of the vicarage
June 29:
9 am: festival service, followed by the procession with the flower poles; 2.00 pm: Samson parade
August 15:
10.00 am: Sanctification of the herbs and bringing home of the Prangstangen flower poles to the farms
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