Tradition in the Salzkammergut: from Gamsjaga days to Glöcklerlauf

The inner Salzkammergut keeps its traditions alive like hardly any other region in Austria. From the Gamsjaga days in late summer through the Krampus run in Advent to the Glöcklerlauf in January — here tradition isn't staged, it's lived.

The Goisern Gamsjaga days

Every year at the end of August, the market square of Bad Goisern becomes a stage for folk music, traditional dress and crafts for three days. The programme includes the "Radlpirsch" on historic steel bicycles, a forest concert by the town band, traditional dances, the Goisern crossbow shooters, a crafts and farmers' market, and open days at the Goisern museums.

The Glöcklerlauf

On 5 January, the eve of Epiphany, the "Glöckler" parade through the inner Salzkammergut – in Bad Goisern across the market square. Their mighty caps are handmade: a wooden frame covered in black card, with motifs cut out and backed with coloured paper, lit from inside by candles. The Ebensee Glöcklerlauf is even listed in Austria's inventory of UNESCO intangible cultural heritage – a deeply impressive experience.

Hand.Werk.Haus

At the Hand.Werk.Haus in Schloss Neuwildenstein, craftspeople from all over the Salzkammergut show what traditional and contemporary craftsmanship can do – with an exhibition, a shop and workshops. The famous Goisern mountain boot is still made by hand a few steps away, at the "Der Goiserer" workshop.