Krampus Tradition in Salzkammergut
It's a gruesomely beautiful spectacle when hundreds of Krampuses gather for a run through the alleys. Krampuses with long horns, ugly masks, rattling chains and loud bells running through the streets, making noise and perhaps frightening the audience. It's a unique experience that has a long tradition in the Salzkammergut.
It's Krampus Day on December 5th and around this date dark figures do their mischief in the Salzkammergut - Krampus events take place in many places.
In Hallstatt, for example, there is wild activity every year at nightfall during the Krampus season, when the Krampuses are storming the marketplace. At the Salzkammergut Krampuslauf in Bad Goisern, there are many wild fellows too. More than 800 Krampuses with beautiful, mostly hand-carved masks and shaggy robes march through the town center and swing their long rods - a Krampus spectacle to watch, fear and celebrate.
Always at the end of November, the audience gets a glimpse of the tradition of the Perchten runs, which took place "innergebirg" in the "Rauhnächte", with a spectacular run at the Perchtenlauf in Mondsee.
You can find them also in Ausseerland, the evil and the good spirits! Every year at the beginning of December, dark figures in traditional robes parade through the darkness in Tauplitz, Pichl-Kainisch and Bad Mitterndorf, demonstrating their traditions.
At the St. Nicholas games, one encounters peculiar figures such as the "Haberngoaß" or the "Schab" wrapped in straw. Year after year they offer an impressive picture.
In all regions of the Salzkammergut, it's scary - in Bad Ischl, several Krampus-Passes perform at the Zimnitz Pass Show, and around Lake Fuschl, Plötz Pass, the Seefeld Teifin or the Schwarzmühteifin provide fear and terror.
Also in Weyregg and Unterach at the Attersee the dark figures gather at different "Krampuskränzchen" or Krampus runs. And at the Traunsee the Krampuses visit some Advent market.
At Lake Wolfgangsee, in addition to the traditional runs and Krampus events, there are also children's Krampus runs for the younger visitors. And where the Krampuses are, St. Nicholas must not be missing - in Obertraun, for example, he comes with the boat across the lake and brings Knecht Ruprecht and a full bag!
