The Glöckler also called beautiful perchten is a tradition of a region in the middle of Austria. Around the 5th of January you can watch mostly men dressed in white clothing, with a belt with bells around their waist and over their heads they carry colorful caps. Beautifully designed wooden structures with a paper wrapping that display in various colors ornaments and decorations. From the inside the caps are illuminated and show off the ornaments in a soft light. At the parades on the 5th of January you can marvel at those beautiful crafts.
The history of the Glöckler tradition
There are two stories of the history of the Glöckler. First let’s look at the name of Glöckler – this word comes from Middle High German klocken which means knocking. Which goes back to a time where people knocked on doors.
In Ebensee the saltworks is a big employer and contributor to the local economy. In the 19th century the 900-woodcutters employed by the company were laid off because of the switch from wood to lignite for heating. These unemployed men hoping for support started to “Glöckeln” begging for support and went from house to house. With masks it started, but without the traditional carnival face mask but with paper fringes on the underside of the cap.
The other saying is that this tradition is a pagan custom. It is said that the “Glöcklerlauf” drives away evil spirits and awakens the natural forces in the ground (for better crops).
The first written mentions of the Glöcklerlauf are in 1850 in Ebensee. With cow bells and transparent paper lanterns performed a dance. In 1990 a more masked Glöckler appeared. At the beginning of the 20th century in every district of Ebensee Glöcklergroups paraded.
The white clothing was the work clothing of the saltwork men. However, it apparently had also a different reason. The church and the police were against pagan customs and with the white clothing it was easier for the men to hide in the snow.
Soon this Austrian tradition spread throughout the region. And today you can watch the Glöckler parade throughout the Salzkammergut region even into Wildalpen in Styria.
Visiting a Glöcklerlauf today
Today the Glöcklerlauf in Ebensee is part of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The “Glöcklerlauf” is a parade where you can take part of the unique tradition of Austria. The parade starts on the 5th of January when it gets dark. Men, women and children wear up to 15 kg heavy papercaps in the form of pyramids, sun, moon, star, crown, or any other shapes. The caps are lit up with candles or electric lights nowadays from the inside.
Some groups go from house to house on the 5th of January and get invited for food and drinks. Then when it gets dark a parade begins, the Glöckler wears a belt with the bells so it is ringing constantly. They run circles or eights which is a symbol of infinity. These days there are even children groups that join the Glöcklerlauf. It is a spectacle that you should not miss out on. The beautifully made caps have a stunning view. Make sure you get enough layers to hold you warm. A notable person will collect donations for the Glöckler groups. Most of them are associations.
After the parade the groups go to restaurants to round off the evening.
No worries, if you miss the parade you can visit the Glöckler exhibition in the museum in Ebensee.
Where do the Glöcklerläufe take place?
Here is a list of towns where you can watch the colourful parades. The biggest parade is in Gmunden.
Abersee
Bad Goisern
Bad Ischl
Ebensee
Gmunden
Obertraun
Schörfling am Attersee
St. Gilgen
St. Wolfgang
Steinbach am Attersee
Strobl
Traunkirchen
Unterarch am Attersee
