In Austria and especially in Tirol Land many customs of the Easter festival are still more religious than the rather commercialised Christmas.
Das Heilige Grab in der Pfarrkirche Peter und Paul in Telfs, Tirol
![]()
On Palm Sunday, people in rural communities take bouquets made of seven different weeds, each with its own symbolism, attached to a stick to church. Together with foods the bouquets, called Palmbuschen, receive good blessings. They are meant to symbolise Christ′s arrival in Jerusalem. They are later placed on fields to protect the crops, where they stay normally until they rot (blessed items are traditionally not thrown away in Austria).
Passion crib /Passionskrippe/ in parish church in Zirl Tirol, fragment
![]()
Passion plays are organised in some communities. Eggs are painted and decorated. Branches of fruit trees (mostly cherry) or bushes are cut and decorated with eggs or Easter ornaments. Most families paint or stain eggs - they are then knocked against each other in a competitive manner ("Eierpecken").
Passion crib /Passionskrippe/ , parish church Telfs
![]()
Church bells are not in use from Green Thursday until the resurrection service in Easter Night (Saturday). Traditionally, children are told that they have flown to Rome. Minister boys walk from door to door and make noises with wooden instruments called "Ratschen" instead. During Easter Night, many communities in the Tyrol burn large stacks of woods in bonfires, which is derived from pagan traditions.
Text based on: www.tourmycountry.com
Das Heilige Grab in der Pfarrkirche Peter und Paul in Telfs, Tirol
Passion crib /Passionskrippe/ in parish church in Zirl Tirol, fragment
Passion crib /Passionskrippe/ , parish church Telfs
Text based on: www.tourmycountry.com