Raising the maypole with the Gosau Schuhplattler dancers

Welcome!

The annual raising of the maypole with the Gosau Schuhplattler dancers is a festival for locals and visitors alike. At the Kirchenwirt inn, you can expect not only this living tradition but also many delicious treats. Enjoy spending time under the chestnut trees with a view of the Gosaukamm mountain range.

To the roots

But what is the story behind this tradition, which takes place in many towns and villages every year on the last day of April? Where does the raising of the maypole come from?

The tradition of raising a maypole may have its origins in pagan customs, with the Germanic tribes worshipping their forest deities. The maypole was first mentioned in writing in 1230. In the Middle Ages, it served as a legal symbol indicating that the fields were off-limits until harvest. Later, it was banned in many places as a "witch's tree." The custom of stripping the bark from the trunk, preventing witches from hiding beneath it, also dates back to this time. However, the American and French Revolutions brought the maypole back, this time as a so-called liberty tree.

Therefore, the Maypole tradition remains strongly rooted in local customs, even though the political aspect has receded into the background. Instead, it's all about folk entertainment – ​​and the Maypole is also considered a symbol of fertility and the life that awakens again in spring with nature.

Don't miss it!

A cherished old tradition well worth experiencing: Come to the traditional raising of the maypole in Gosaun, in the UNESCO World Heritage region of Hallstatt Dachstein Salzkammergut, and discover authentic tradition in one of Europe's most beautiful holiday regions – the Salzkammergut. The organizers look forward to your visit!