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Christmas Markets
Krampus
St. Nicholas

 

 

Krampus

What/who is Krampus ?

"The word Krampus originates from the Old High German word for claw (Krampen). In the Alpine region the Krampus is represented by an incubus in company of St Nicholas. Traditionally, young men dress up as the Krampus in the first two weeks of December and particularly in the evening of December 5 and roam the streets frightening children (and adults) with rusty chains and bells. In some rural areas also slight birching especially of young females by the Krampus is part of tradition."

The present day Krampus costume consists of red wooden masks or Larve, black sheep's skin and horns. Considerable effort goes into the manufacture of the hand-crafted masks, as many younger adults in rural communities engage competitively in the Krampus events.

The following Krampus processions will take place near Landhaus Osborne:

Obertraun

5th December  - The two St. Nicholas groups of Obertraun visit children in their homes from 17.00 onwards. After those visits, both St. Nicholas groups meet at the town's centre, at Gemeindeplatz, for a Krampus spectacle - from about 20.00  onwards. You can warm up at a stand where they make so-called Kramperltee, i.e. hot schnapps with sugar.

Hallstatt

5th December - From 19.00 onwards, Perchten (masked figures) and Krampuses  meet at the marketplace in order to strike terror. However, there is no reason to be afraid of them, because even if these spooky fellows rattle their chains, shake their horns and flail with their birches, St. Nicholas arrives in time and stops their scary hustle and bustle.

Bad Ischl

5th December - Kaiser Franz Josef Straße - Every year St. Nicholas and his Krampus (well-behaved) come to visit the children of Ischl. As always, he will bring a St. Nicholas bag for every child. From 16:00 traditional music groups of the Salzkammergut area and Werner Fahrner and Stucka Advent poems will provide for a festive mood.

Bad Goisern

An event not to be missed!

The annual Salzkammergut Krampus Run is to take place on 7th December in Bad Goisern, which is only a 10 minute drive from Landhaus Osborne.

This is a much loved traditional event which attracts visitors from all over. On this evening, 600 Krampusses and evil demons, St Nicholasses and good angels will assemble in Bad Goisern's market square.

From 15:00, a festive atmosphere will be created with Advent folk music by a local brass band band and the Goiseren based Tanzl-Musi group. And to stop anyone from getting cold, a stall selling hot tea will be set up and run by a Goisern Charity Group and a local folk music group.

Everyone excitedly awaits the arrival of St Nicholas at 19:00. He gives out presents to children who have been well behaved. Then follows the procession of Krampusses from Bad Goisern and joined by other frightful demonic figures from as far afield as Salzburg and Styria. The figures will mix with the crowds with their rattling chains, and there will even be a sharp beating from the birch for some visitors.

There is an opportunity to warm up and continue the festivities afterwards at the Krampus Party held at the local fire station.

 

  Landhaus Osborne - Ebnerstegweg 148 - 4831 Obertraun - Austria | Tel: +43 681 103633 84 | Email: info@landhaus-osborne.at