Where Tradition Stays Alive
Nurturing customs and culture connects
Feel tradition, experience history
At Wastlwirt, customs become part of your holiday
Right in the thick of it
In St. Michael, you experience customs not as a performance, but as living culture
Festivals with Heart
Prangstangen, Samson parades Thanksgiving – directly in the region and shared with guests
Genuine Encounters
Sebastian and Rudi Baier, your hosts, are happy to offer personal insights into Lungau traditions
Historic Setting
Castles, churches museums tell tales of life as it once was – to marvel at and learn from
Event Tips from Reception
Personally recommended, seasonally adjusted – experience customs like a local
“Customs are part of Lungau life”
Sebastian Rudi
Baier
Culture that lives on
Traditional costumes, dialect, and customs accompany the annual cycle – from festive processions to ancient crafts. Guests of Hotel Wastlwirt experience this culture firsthand: as quiet observers at solemn parades or right in the midst of the action at village festivals. These are moments that connect – past and present, locals and visitors. The region’s event calendar makes these encounters possible and gives holiday days depth, character, and a true feeling of a temporary home.
Between Ratchets and Easter Butter
In Lungau, Easter has its very own sound – when the church bells fall silent from Maundy Thursday and the ‘Ratscherbuam’ (rattle boys) parade through the streets. On Holy Saturday, towering Easter bonfires blaze in artistic tradition, accompanied by ‘Pinzen’ (sweet bread), consecrated Easter ham, and hand-shaped lamb butter. Egg tapping, ‘Gonesrennen’ (egg races), and the awakening of nature make Easter in Lungau a feast for the senses. As a guest at Wastlwirt, you are right in the heart of the customs of a region that knows how to combine heritage and enjoyment.
50,000 Blossoms, a Promise
24.06. (Zederhaus) June 29 (Muhr)
Once a year, the villages of Zederhaus and Muhr transform into blooming wonderlands: during the Prangstangen processions in June, wooden poles up to 8 meters high, adorned with up to 50,000 hand-placed flowers, are carried through the streets. A living cultural heritage, recognized by UNESCO, deeply rooted in the history and heart of the Lungau people. Guests of the Wastlwirt experience firsthand how blossoms become tradition – a feast for the eyes and a piece of living local culture.
When the Giant Dances
from June to September
When the over 4.5 m tall giant Samson is carried through the streets of St. Michael and Lungau, the region holds its breath. Weighing up to 64 kg, he is moved by just one man – accompanied by brass music, cheers, and awe. The custom dates back to the 18th century and is now part of UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage. Between May and October, Samson can be seen at festivals such as Corpus Christi, the market festival, or musical Frühschoppen (morning concerts) – a spectacle that guests of the Wastlwirt can experience up close.
When Music Enchants Lungau
When choirs from all over the world travel to St. Michael in June, Lungau becomes a stage for sound and emotion. Feuer Stimme (Fire Voice) is an international choir festival that not only delights music lovers but also opens hearts with every note. Whether in the parish church, on the alpine pasture, or in Moosham Castle – the special venues make every performance a goosebump moment. As a partner hotel, the Wastlwirt is right in the thick of the action.
40 Years of Culture Beyond the Tauern
For 40 years, the Lungau Cultural Association has shaped cultural life between Tamsweg, St. Michael, and the side valleys. Whether theater, concerts, film evenings, exhibitions, or readings – around 200 events take place annually, opening new perspectives and promoting creative collaboration. Every year, guests of the Wastlwirt can look forward to cultural highlights – vibrant, diverse, and right in the region. The current program and insider tips are, of course, available directly at our reception.
Music Summer St. Leonhard
Resonant Highlights in a Gothic Ambiance
The St. Leonhard Music Summer will once again delight in 2025 with concerts in the impressive St. Leonhard Church near Tamsweg. Soloists from the Vienna Philharmonic and renowned orchestras will present music from Baroque to modern – complemented by authentic folk music. Austrian premieres, new artists, and a harmonious supporting program lend the festival a special brilliance. The interplay of impressive acoustics, artistic diversity, and an inspiring atmosphere makes the Music Summer a cultural highlight in Lungau.
Lungau Autumn Harvest Thanksgiving
Mid-August to End of October
As summer draws to a close, one of the most atmospheric times of the year begins in Lungau: the ‘Bauernherbst’ (farmer’s autumn). Tradition, craftsmanship, and culinary delights take center stage – accompanied by festive music, regional delicacies, and authentic customs. A special highlight is the Thanksgiving festival, where gratitude for the year’s bounty is expressed in colorful parades and solemn masses. Authentic, warm, unadulterated – that’s how Lungau presents itself in the golden autumn.
International Accordion Meeting
When musicians from near and far gather for the accordion meeting, Lungau becomes a vibrant stage for folk music. Multi-day, authentic, and captivating – the Styrian accordion takes center stage here. Amidst magnificent mountain scenery and genuine hospitality, visitors experience handmade music, living tradition, and an incomparably warm atmosphere. A feast for all senses – and for lovers of authentic folk culture.
More Holiday Happiness
Others collect experiences, we create memories – because with us, you get that extra bit of holiday happiness.
You shouldn’t miss out!
