Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Left
Corpus Christi Procession
Centre
Raising of the Maypole
Right
Leonhardi, Bad Tölz
Traditions In & Around Munich
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Schäfflertanz
$
Maypole
Every seven years, the Dance
of the Coopers is performed to
commemorate the end of the
plague in the 1500s. The next
one will take place in 2012.
d
Munich, during Fasching (carnival)
@
Dance of the
Most Bavarian towns and
communities raise decorated May-
poles on 1 May, a custom dating
back to the Middle Ages when the
“tree of life” was thought to
bring success. Overnight,
the Maypole is guarded
by local youths: If a
Maypole is stolen, it
has to be ransomed
with many barrels of
beer.
d
Bavaria,
1 May
%
Corpus Christi
Market Wives
Viktualienmarkt market
women perform a
dance in fancy dress.
d
Munich, Shrove Tuesday
£
Starkbier Season
Maypole ornament
Procession
Corpus Christi processions are
held throughout southern Bavaria
- the largest is in Munich - to
mark this important Catholic feast
day.
d
Thu after Trinity Sun
^
Kocherl Ball
Since “liquids don't count
during fast-time,” monks brewed
a nourishing ale during the lenten
fast, a tradition that has survived
to this day. Bavaria's “fifth season”
is launched by the ceremonial
breaching of bock beer barrels,
the most famous being the Sal-
vator breaching on Nockherberg
(see p50)
.
d
Bavaria,
19 Mar-Easter
Annual “Cook's Ball,” where
costumed couples dance a Bavari-
an waltz and polka at 6am at the
Horses decked out in special harness for Leonhardi procession, Bad Tölz
74
On Shrove Tuesday, ski carnival is celebrated in the Alps. The best
known is held at Firstalm - there's a prize for the best costume.
