Tirolian Fairytales - Photo Essay
Tirol is a ridiculous place. I'm talking fairytale ridiculous, with mountains, beautiful lakes, quaint villages and the relaxed pace of the countryside. I always feel like I've stepped into a Grimm Brothers tale when I visit.
Picturesque sunsets in Autumn
Gorgeous village homes
Even the cemeteries are stunning
The fairytale aspect is only enhanced whenever we spend time with the Misters family. His grandparents live in a traditional farmhouse. It was built by hand, there's a burbling creek out the back with fish, a cow for your morning milk next door and a field backing onto the forest. I could not make it more stereotypically fairytale-esque if I tried.
But, like all great fairytales, there's a flip-side. A terrifying, traditional, devilish flip-side.
These guys will haunt your dreams
They go by the name of 'Krampus' or 'Perchten' (depending on your regionality.) They are truly horrible but put on the most spectacular show each year to serve a warning to naughty kids on the 5th of December.
Do not mess with them
While St Nikolaus is said to brings nuts, treats and chocolates to children who are well behaved on the 6th of December, Krampus is the scary devil who kidnaps naughty children from their families by throwing them into a coal sack and taking them to hell*. When they march into the village in their gigantic traditional masks, hand woven costumes and booming drums, while the fire pit burns in the village centre, you can almost believe you are back in fairytale-times and the devils will steal you away!
This lot weren't taking any chances - keeping a safe distance
For the real impact though, you need to hear the drums, smell the smoke and have your heart skip a beat when a smaller teufel comes past and covers your face in black coal dust. The video below will give you a taste, but to really understand the fairytales of Tirol, you might just have to see for yourself….https://www.flickr.com/photos/105442395@N05/15365740093/in/set-72157649268657567/
*History nerd note - This is the colloquial version of events as told by locals in bars, on the village streets and when trying to terrify an Auslander like me!