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Tourist Info Dobbiaco
Via Dolomiti 3
I-39034 Dobbiaco
Alta Pusteria - South Tyrol - Dolomites - Italy
Phone: 0039 0474 972132
Fax: 0039 0474 972730
E-Mail: info@dobbiaco.info
VAT No. IT 00364950212
tax No. 00364950212
Alta Pusteria: Varied customs and traditions
Dobbiaco: "Krampus" race and St. Nicholas
The origins of the "Krampus" race lie way back in history and originated with the pagans. Dressed up as wild figures, the people wanted to chase the scary winter ghosts away with ringing bells and loud screams. The "Krampus" race in Dobbiaco takes place every year at the beginning of December.
Some time later, the figure of Saint Nicholas was added. He brings goods and gifts to children, and especially children can't wait for his appearance on the 6th of December.
Carol Singers
In rural areas it is a tradition to wish each other a Happy New Year from St. Stephen's Day to New Year's. And also in South Tyrol where the carol singers keep up this tradition. The carol singers go from house to house and entertain the families with songs and poems. With chalk they write the letters C M B on the front door of each house. These are the initials of the Latin words "Christus mansionem benedictat", which means "Christ bless this house".
Christmas Carols and Music
In the Advent season many groups of musicians and singers stroll through the village to entertain locals with their songs. Since this time of the year is often very hectic, the music and songs makes the people reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and prepare themselves for this special day.
Incense Burning in the so-called "incense nights"
On Christmas Eve and on the day of the Epiphany, the families walk through their homes with incense and holy water, in order to chase away evil and to be free from curses.
Thanksgiving
Like everywhere else in the country, a successful harvest is celebrated with a big event in October, Thanksgiving. The celebration begins with a mass in the morning. After mass, concerts by the local village band and dances from folks dance groups are often presented. In some areas it is also a tradition to put up a tree with sweets attached to the top. Daring climbers try to take them down.
Religious processions in Spring and Autumn
Processions are organised within the framework of certain religious celebrations. Usually almost the entire population of the village takes part. The processions are colourful spectacles with flags, traditional costumes, wooden statues of Saints, participation of the village music band and choirs. A procession consists of several stations, where the parade stops to pray and to sing.
Consecration of meat at Easter
After 40 days of Lent, the celebration of the resurrection takes place on Easter Saturday. A basket filled with meat, cheese and eggs is blessed in the church. The blessed food is then eaten on Easter Sunday. The meat symbolises the "Body of Christ" as a gift from God, the Easter egg symbolises "new life", the resurrection of Christ.
Sacred Heart of Jesus Mountain Fires
On the night before Sacred Heart of Jesus Sunday (2nd Sunday in June) open fires are lit on the mountains and pastures. The fires have their origin in the times of the renowned freedom fighter Andreas Hofer. Together with fellow freedom fighters he lit the fires in order to warn other villages about the approach of the enemy. Andreas Hofer and his fellow fighters made a vow on the Sacred Heart of Jesus - to whom the Land of Tyrol is devoted - that they would defend God and their homeland against the French who invaded the country. Therefore, many fires have the shape of a heart, others have religious symbols like a cross.
Return of the cattle from the alpine pastures
Every year around the middle of September the cattle, which spend the summer on alpine pastures, are driven back into the village and to the farm. The cows, which produced most milk during the summer, are decorated with beautiful wreaths and flowers. This is a symbol to thank the animals and to thank God, who protected the animals from thunder storms and accidents during the summer.
Church Fair Knocking
This is called "Kirchta krochn" in local dialect, and was used as a means of communication between the individual farms. Later on, it became a leisure time activity. Today, only a few farmers still practice the "knocking" on the fair day. The day is deliberately chosen during the year, and the day is celebrated with dances and music.
Traditional costumes and music are part of the culture
The costumes are a symbol of ancient times and are worn in memory of the ancestors of today's South Tyrolean population. For many centuries, the costumes were looked at as a tool for binding the community and for order, and they are still worn on special occasions. The costumes represent the affinity to the homeland and its customs.
Also village bands play an important role for tradition in rural areas. Friends of wind instruments and marches make up a music band and play at folk festivals, at weddings and processions.
The affinity to music shown by the local population is the reason why so many choirs were formed. The most renowned and maybe most important is the church choir, which is not only present at religious festivals, but also at many other events.
The so-called "Schützen", the riflemen, were Tyrol's freedom fighters. Nowadays, the freedom fighters participate at processions with their traditional customs.
Bad weather bells: During a severe thunderstorm, the bells are rung in the villages, in order to rip open the clouds through their sound so that the thunderstorm weakens.
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