A matter of the heart: Liebstatt Sunday on the Grünberg in Gmunden
Against any kind of pain
a real love heart helps
The Grünberg cable car and the Salzkammergut treetop walk will be open on 15 March 2026. The first cable car runs at 09:00 hrs.. to the Grünberg and will then take you comfortably up the mountain every 15 minutes.
A little surprise awaits you at the Grünberg ticket office. The first 100 guests will receive a Liebstatt heart as a gift from us. So be quick and drive to the Grünberg first thing in the morning!
Give the gift of a mountain experience
In 1641, the Bishop of Passau, who was responsible for Gmunden at the time, established a very special custom for the spa town on Lake Traunsee. He instructed the city priest to invite the poor of the city to a common meal on the fourth Sunday of Lent and to serve it himself.
This is how Mid-Lent Sunday got its beautiful name. This custom has been preserved in a modified form to this day. Make your loved ones happy with a Grünberg voucher and give the gift of time together.
What exactly is this "Liebstatt Sunday"?
In 1641, the Bishop of Passau, Leopold Wilhelm of Austria, who was responsible for Gmunden at the time, confirmed the Corpus Christi Brotherhood and allowed it to invite the poor of the city to a common meal on the 4th Sunday of Lent, with the pledge of faithfulness and brotherly love, the "Liabb'státt'n" ('affirmation of love').
Over the centuries, the custom has changed. Instead of feeding the poor, gingerbread hearts were given as a thank you for the love received. Single boys announced their will to betroth to their beloved with a love heart.
Liebstatt Sunday is a typical Upper Austrian custom between the Salzkammergut, Traunviertel and Mühlviertel. In addition to the communities around Lake Traunsee, gingerbread hearts are also baked, decorated and given away/sold in Bad Goisern, Hallstatt, Vorchdorf, Bachmanning, Krenglbach, Bad Schallerbach, Laakirchen, Asten, Bad Kreuzen, Grein, Gallneukirchen, Alberndorf, Katsdorf, Schwertberg, Pfarrkirchen im Mühlkreis and Windhaag bei Perg. Typical saying is "A real Liebstatt heart helps against any kind of pain."
In March 2014, the Austrian Commission for UNESCO included Liebstatt Sunday in Gmunden in the list of national intangible cultural heritage in Austria, in the section Social Practices, Rituals and Festivals. The purpose of this designation is to provide binding protection as a living cultural tradition. There, the custom is particularly cultivated by the two local traditional costume associations, the Goldhauben and the headscarf group.
Liebstatt Sunday in Gmunden. In: unesco.at. Austrian Commission for UNESCO, List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Austria, accessed on 16 November 2020.
Simple and convenient
To this event with the Salzkammergut Shuttle Service
Would you like to attend this event? But don't have a car? Then take the "Salzkammergut Shuttle Service". The network of local taxi companies will take you to your desired event in a cost-effective and comfortable way. And this is how it works: Simply call the service hotline on +43 50 422 422 and pre-order correctly. You can make reservations in German and English. You will receive all further information directly at the time of booking or when booking the shuttle. Your hosts in the individual accommodations will also be happy to help you order the shuttle. Just ask. We wish you a safe journey and unforgettable hours at this event in the Salzkammergut.
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Information for guests and visitors in the region. In German and English. Here you will find out first. Everything you need for your holiday. We have the Tourismusnwes!
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"Liebstatt" Sunday 2025
Sun, Mar. 15, 2026 15:00 Festival hall Bad Goisern Bad Goisern, Bad Goisern
Your accommodation for this event
Hotels and accommodation providers in Hallstatt, Bad Goisern, Gosau and Obertraun offer the ideal room or apartment for your holidays, no matter what your tastes. Aside from establishments rated according to the international "star" scale, you will also find around Lake Hallstatt in Austria businesses that have been awarded two to four "edelweiss". The more flowers, the greater comforts you can expect. Whether you eventually find your cozy nest in an elegant 5-star luxury hotel, at comfortable guesthouse, a family-friendly apartment, or on a traditional farm, the choice is always entirely up to you.