Experience Easter in the Salzburg Region: Where old customs come to life and warmth characterizes the holidays. Discover Palmbuschen, Palmesel, and more!
As spring arrives and the first Palmbuschen (Palm Brooms) adorn the houses, it’s time in the Salzburg Region for one of the most beautiful traditions of the year: Easter. Between lived faith, culinary delights, and lovingly passed-down customs, it becomes clear how deeply connected the people here are to their homeland.
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the Easter season. In almost every town in the Salzburg Region, artfully tied Palmbuschen (Palm Brooms) are carried to church for blessing. The branches – mostly boxwood, willow, or juniper – are lovingly decorated with colorful ribbons, pretzels, or apples. The size and splendor of the Palmbuschen often reflect the pride and effort that went into their making.
An age-old custom that is still alive, especially in families, is the so-called Palmesel (Palm Donkey). It befalls the person who is the last to get up on Palm Sunday. With a wink, they are declared the “Palmesel” – a charming tradition that connects generations. The “punishment” of the Palmesel usually consists of affectionate teasing and one or two extra chores around the house.
Good Friday (Karfreitag) is a day of silence and deep reflection. The hustle and bustle of everyday life gives way to a reverent atmosphere. On Holy Saturday (Ostersamstag), families prepare the Easter nests together, dye eggs with natural colors, and bake the traditional Easter bread (Osterstriezel). For many, the solemn Speisensegnung (blessing of food) in church is a cherished tradition.
On Easter Sunday, a cheerful game must not be missing at the Easter breakfast: the traditional Eierpecken (egg tapping). Two people face each other and tap their hard-boiled and often artistically painted eggs against each other at the tips or bottoms. Whoever’s egg remains intact has won the little “battle” and earns the cheers of the others. This simple but traditional game delights young and old alike and is an integral part of the Easter get-together.
In some villages in the Salzburg Region, impressive Osterfeuer (Easter bonfires) blaze during Easter night. These symbolic fires represent the light of Christ’s resurrection and drive away the darkness of Good Friday. A very special acoustic element of the Easter season is the Ratschenkinder (rattling children). During the silent days when the church bells are still, children walk through the streets with their wooden Ratschen (rattles), replacing the sound of the bells with their characteristic clattering. This old custom gives the Easter atmosphere a unique and almost archaic touch.
Easter in the Salzburg Region is thus a festival for all the senses. It is a time of reflection, community, and joy, deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and the customs are lovingly passed down from generation to generation. The Easter traditions of Salzburg are a living cultural heritage that beautifully expresses the connection of the people to their homeland.
Address:
Gasteigweg 25,
5400 Hallein
Austria
Opening hours:
Monday to Thursday: 09 – 16:00
Friday: 09 – 12:00
Contact:
Phone: +43 6245 83282
E-mail: info@agrisan.at
Address:
Gasteigweg 25,
5400 Hallein
Austria
Opening hours:
Monday to Thursday: 09 – 16:00
Friday: 09 – 12:00
Contact:
Phone: +43 6245 83282
E-mail: info@agrisan.at
