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Would you have known? This is how Austria celebrates Easter

The "Grasausläuten" is a Tyrolean custom in which young men parade through the village with cowbells. The loud ringing of the bells is intended to drive winter away from the Tyrolean valleys.

(Bild: APA/JAKOB GRUBER)

Austria is a country of customs. Even at Easter time, there are many original church and pagan rites that are lovingly maintained, passed down and celebrated from generation to generation. From Easter fires to drum rattles, from palm trees to regional culinary delicacies - each federal state also cultivates its own customs. Read more about traditional customs in Austria here.

Easter is one of the most important church festivals of the year and is one of the movable feasts (the calendar date of which varies every year). The 40-day fasting period, which ends on Maundy Thursday - or Palm Sunday, depending on how you count it - is a preparation for the feast of the resurrection. At the end of Passiontide, which is still often characterized by renunciation and abstinence, is Holy Week, which reaches its final climax on Easter Sunday.

But which customs are celebrated in Austria? Common to all federal states and also known beyond the borders of the Alpine republic: colorful eggs and the Easter bunny, which should not be missing on Easter Sunday at the latest - preferably cast in chocolate, of course.

A total of around 23 million chocolate bunnies will be given away in Austria in the 2024 survey.

(Bild: dpa-Zentralbild/Patrick Pleul)

Numerous customs are celebrated to mark the festivities, with many similarities - Easter markets, bonfires and eggs, food blessings, etc. - but often also regional differences and focuses. - However, there are often also regional differences and focuses.

• If you travel to Salzburg at Easter, for example, you can look forward to "Godnleit","Pinzen" made from yeast dough and the custom of the so-called " Antlaßeies". The latter are often fed to chickens to keep them laying or thrown over houses to protect the home from storms or lightning.

• Another original custom is palm donkey processions, which are supposed to re-enact the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. This custom is also celebrated in Tyrol.

Traditional hand-tied Easter palm catkins

(Bild: APA/BARBARA GINDL)

• In Tyrol, it is not only the annual "Grasausläuten ", where young men ring bells to chase winter away from the Tyrolean mountains. The "Ratscherbuam" also travel through the countryside, as the bells stand still during Holy Week and do not ring again until Easter Sunday.

The "Grasausläuten" is a Tyrolean custom in which young men parade through the village with cowbells. The loud ringing of the bells is intended to drive winter out of the Tyrolean valleys.

(Bild: APA/JAKOB GRUBER)

• Ratcheting is also a custom in Lower Austria. Also still common in many villages: Lenten nativity scenes depicting the Passion of Christ or his death.

• In several provinces, altars are covered and often colorful, illuminated glass balls are placed around an imitation "grave".

• In Upper Austria, on the other hand, it is customary to go to confession during Lent. Confession croissants or pretzels are often eaten on confession days.

Easter pastries made from yeast or yeast dough in the shape of a rabbit

(Bild: APA/BARBARA GINDL)

• Easter bonfires are a pagan tradition, which are lit on the night of Easter Sunday, especially in Carinthia and Styria. They are a symbol of joy for the resurrection of Jesus, but are officially banned in many places.

(Bild: dpa/Julian Stratenschulte)

• In Carinthia, you can look forward to fasting cloths (for example in Gurk) and shot-putting, spinach on Maundy Thursday and - for the children - a "Gotenstrutz" - a pastry that is often accompanied by toys and chocolate bunnies.

• In Carinthia and Styria in particular, the blessing of food, known as the consecration of meat, is traditionally celebrated on Easter Saturday. Ham, smoked meat, eggs and also pastries - in Carinthia, for example, a Reindling - are blessed in mostly woven baskets as part of a church service or a prayer.

Vor allem in Kärnten und der Steiermark am Ostersamstag Brauch: der Gang zur Fleischweihe.

(Bild: PLENK Johannes)

Eine traditionelle Osterspeise in Kärnten: Reindling

(Bild: Rojsek-Wiedergut Uta)

• In Styria, bonfires are also carried from house to house.

• Eggs are painted and given as presents throughout Austria - Easter nests and other gifts are hidden for children.

• The Easter bunny, who brings the eggs, has become an integral part of Austrian culture, regardless of the province.

Incidentally, the Vierbergelauf in Carinthia no longer falls within the Easter period: This is an age-old custom in which, two weeks after Easter, a route of over 50 kilometers is run, starting from Magdalensberg. According to legend, anyone who completes the difficult walk three times is guaranteed a path to paradise.

Tip: You can find delicious Easter recipes at krone.at/kulinarik!

Where does the custom of the Easter bunny come from?
The hare is a symbol of fertility and appears in Egyptian mythology. The idea of the hare as an Easter "egg bringer" was first documented in the 17th century - in Germany.

Easter: Date on the first Sunday after the spring full moon

Easter is not only the highest festival of the Christian churches, but also an ancient custom. The date depends on the beginning of spring and the full moon. Since the Council of Nicaea (325), Easter has been celebrated on the first Sunday after the spring full moon. This year, Easter Sunday falls on March 31 - also the day of the summer time changeover.

In Byzantium, it is even said to have been a sign of Christ in the Middle Ages. Assuming that the hare slept with its eyes open, it was compared to the Risen One, who had not fallen asleep in death. Master Lampe was mentioned as the bearer of colored eggs at the time by a Frankfurt doctor who was doing his doctorate in Heidelberg (his dissertation was entitled "De ovis paschalibus - von Oster-Eyern"). According to him, the custom is said to have originated in Alsace, the Palatinate and the Upper Rhine.

In Easter tradition, the Easter bunny is a rabbit that paints eggs and hides them in the garden.

(Bild: APA/BIRGIT EGARTER)

Why are eggs a must at Easter?
The egg is an ancient symbol of fertility, the origin of life, of being and becoming. People were eating colorfully painted eggs for the spring festival as early as 5000 BC. The common practice of giving colorful eggs as gifts today can even be traced back to the ancient Chinese. Until the 15th century, the term "Easter eggs" was also understood to mean an "interest egg to be delivered by Easter". The eggs laid on Maundy Thursday or Good Friday were also believed to ward off evil and bestow blessings. Decorated Easter eggs were first mentioned in 1615.

What is the origin of the custom of blessing food (consecration of meat)?
The custom of blessing food at Easter - incorrectly called the consecration of meat - is usually practiced in Austria, Bavaria and South Tyrol in particular. It can be traced back to the 7th century. Foods such as meat and eggs, the consumption of which was forbidden in the strict medieval fasting regime, gained special significance and power in popular belief through the Easter blessing. Today, this custom can have the meaning of building a bridge between the altar and the domestic table.

For many Austrians, after a long fast on Easter Saturday, it's finally time to eat again!

(Bild: ©Jamrooferpix - stock.adobe.com)

What does a traditional Easter snack consist of?
A juicy smoked ham, a few hard-boiled eggs with colorful shells, a slice of dark bread, followed by a crumbly piece of yeast dough pancake - this is how many Austrians traditionally enjoy breakfast on Easter morning. Of course, horseradish and eggs are also a must!

Why do we light an Easter candle?
The custom of a special Easter candle, liturgical praise in the Easter Vigil and at the same time offering and blessing, first appeared in Piacenza in 384. Over the centuries, this symbol of the risen Christ took on its current shape and design. A cross is inscribed in wax on the front, above which the first (alpha) and last (omega) letters of the Greek alphabet can be read. The Easter candle is lit at every church service and baptism until the Feast of the Ascension.