Lungau “Kasmandl” - Customs and traditions in Salzburg's Lungau region

Enchanting traditions in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Salzburger Lungau

In the impressive mountain world of the Lungau, the pastures and alpine pastures are still farmed with great passion today - often up to the highest altitudes. When the cattle are driven back down into the valley in the fall, the alpine huts are left deserted.

According to a Lungau legend, the alpine spirits, the so-called “Kasmandl”, then move into the huts. These spirits want to remain undisturbed throughout the winter! To appease them, small portions of food are often left behind as offerings to this day, and traditionally the spirits were “rung in” on November 11th, St. Martin's Day, and “rung out” again on April 24th. These rituals were intended to signal to the spirits when people would leave the mountain pastures and when they would return in spring.

This custom has changed over time: On November 10, the eve of St. Martin's Day, children dressed up as Kasmandl parade from house to house, delighting locals and guests alike.

The children wear old clothes and fake beards made from glued-on lichen. They bring traditional Lungau desserts, sing Kasmandl songs, recite funny poems and tell stories about their ghostly experiences and pranks on the mountain pastures. The locals await them with beaming faces and reward their visit with small gifts as a thank you.

Our accommodation tip in the Lungau region: the modern AlpenParks Hotel & Apartment Carpe Solem Mariapfarr with first-class vacation apartments, direct access to the adjoining wellness area, wine cellar, seminar room and in-house restaurant.