Innsbruck Region

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Telfer Schleicher
Carnival events
 
Traditions and customs
Traditions and customs
 

Streets filled with colour

An absolute must-see! Some of the varied carnival traditions in the Innsbruck region have even made it onto the UNESCO cultural heritage list. Although centuries-old, they are as vibrant as ever.

  • Rumer Muller
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    The big Muller Parade featuring all the well-known Tyrolean carnival characters takes place every year in one of four villages near Innsbruck.
  • Axamer Fasnacht
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    Every year on Unsinniger Donnerstag (the Thursday before Shrove Tuesday), Riders take on the thickly padded Wampeler in the village of Axams. During the parade, the Riders try to throw the Wampeler characters down onto their backs.
  • Schleicher Schleicherlaufen Telfs
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    This colourful and traditional carnival parade only takes place every five years. The Schleicher and many other magnificent characters create a unique atmosphere.
  • Schellenschlagen – the ringing of the cowbells
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    Every year on Faschingsdienstag (Shrove Tuesday) or Unsinniger Donnerstag (the Thursday before Shrove Tuesday), a witch raises her broom and jumps around in a grotesque way to make people ring their bells.
  • The Türggeler in Zirl
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    Wearing impressive costumes made of corn husks, the Türggeler characters parade around the village of Zirl. Witches, the mythical Habergeiß and the Goggler (rooster) get in their way.

The most famous Tyrolean carnival characters

Colourful, loud and bizarre. Custom dictates exactly how the masked characters should move. Their elaborate costumes are made by hand with great skill and patience.

The witches

The witches

Omnipresent in the carnival season, witches embody winter, the terrible, the devilish and evil.
The lurkers

The lurkers

With bells on their backs, they move stealthily, only to suddenly and loudly stand up next to startled spectators.
Mullerlauf Rum

The Tuxer

The Tuxer stands for the noble, easy-going Tyrolian who loves to drink. His mask has a friendly expression and he wears smart clothes.
The mirror duxer

The mirror duxer

Probably the most magnificent Tyrol carnival figure has an impressive 14-kilo headdress, which makes him stand out from the other figures.
The Zaggler

The Zaggler

Almost 100 "Zagglen" or tassels are sewn onto the blue costumes. The Zagglers wear an unfriendly mask and make jerky movements.
The block maker

The block maker

The wooden shingles on the robes are called "Klötzln". The noise created by movement is intended to make room for the figures that follow.
The Zottler

The Zottler

They are representatives of winter and therefore in a bad mood. The shaggers make their presence felt with rough movements and grim larvae.
The Melcher

The Melcher

Wearing a colorful scarf, leather trousers and an embroidered satchel (wide leather belt), they embody a young, cheerful person.
The white one

The white one

These figures are characterized by neat white clothing with red and green tassels, ribbons and bells. They hop forwards and backwards over sticks.
Wampeler Axams

Wampeler

With their padded bellies made of hay, the Wampeler prance stolidly through the village. They wear a white linen shirt and a red skirt over their trousers.

See the region’s carnival parades live

Rumer Muller parade
Bell-ringing in Sistrans
Axamer Wampelerreiten
Telfer Schleicherlaufen
Schiane Gian in Igls
Carnival in Tyrol

What our bloggers have to say about Tyrolean carnival customs

Carnival in Axams: the famous Wampelerreiten

#blog Carnival in Axams: the famous Wampelerreiten

12.02.2024
The procession of the Rumer Muller – UNESCO World Heritage Site

#blog The procession of the Rumer Muller – UNESCO World Heritage Site

16.02.2023
The Strudelpeter and his fabulous carnival doughnuts

#blog The Strudelpeter and his fabulous carnival doughnuts

01.02.2023
The Patscher Schellenschlagerinnen: women conquered carnival customs

#blog The Patscher Schellenschlagerinnen: women conquered carnival customs

17.01.2023
The Carnival Museum in Telfs, Tirol, reopened its door

#blog The Carnival Museum in Telfs, Tirol, reopened its door

12.10.2020
Schleicherlaufen Carnival in Telfs, Tirol

#blog Schleicherlaufen Carnival in Telfs, Tirol

10.02.2020
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