Tradition & Customs
Show businesses in 360° Alpenland
Show businesses, craftsmanship & traditions
The show farms produce products that epitomise quality, regionality and centuries-old knowledge. From skilfully crafted pocket feitl in the Feitelmacher Valley to traditional farmer's mills and the living art of blacksmithing: real craftsmanship becomes visible and understandable here.
Workshops, museums and demonstration centres open their doors and provide insights into techniques that have been passed down through generations. Visitors can experience the production process at first hand and rediscover the importance of regional craftsmanship.
Experience tradition in everyday life
In 360° Alpenland, tradition is not only evident in crafts, but also in everyday life. Traditional costumes, music and regional customs are firmly anchored in people's lives.
Festivals, rituals and community
Seasonal festivals and old rituals tell of a region that recognises its roots and consciously carries them into the present. Guests experience a living culture that connects and creates identity.
Experience traditional crafts in Upper Austria
Show businesses and special excursion destinations combine past and future in a unique way. Here, tradition becomes tangible, understandable and conveyed with genuine passion. Visitors learn how experience becomes skill - and how identity is created from skill.
Autumn tip!
Grape presses and grain threshers, vintage tractors, a car boot sale, a craft fair and products from local businesses are all waiting for you!
Summer tip!
Family adventures, music, local delicacies and the breathtaking glow of the mountains await!
Frequently asked questions about traditions and customs in the 360° Alpine Region:
Intangible cultural heritage, as defined by UNESCO, protects living traditions – that is, knowledge, craftsmanship, rituals and customs. In the 360° Alpenland region, for example, this includes the making and playing of the Mollner jaw harp, the style of playing the Steyrer Kripperl, and the knowledge of blacksmithing practices – all of which contribute to regional identity and are passed on to future generations.
This recognised cultural heritage includes, amongst other things, the making and playing of the jaw harp, the production of the Trattenbach pocket fiddle, the making of Loamandeln, the traditional style of playing the Steyrer Kripperl, and the Nigloumzug. These traditions embody Upper Austrian craftsmanship and vibrant folk culture.
The 1,000-year-old town of Steyr is regarded as an architectural gem, with its historic town square and town houses dating from various periods. At the same time, it is closely linked to ironworking and traditional crafts. As an important part of the Austrian Iron Route, Steyr is on the shortlist for a bid for UNESCO World Heritage status.
Along the rivers Enns, Steyr and Krems, craftsmanship – particularly in the working and processing of iron – has shaped the region for centuries. Guided tours of demonstration workshops and museums show how durable products are made from metal and wood.
Because it is not only buildings but also knowledge that should be preserved. Intangible cultural heritage recognises skills and rituals that foster a sense of community and strengthen regional identity.
Among the objectives of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003) are, amongst other things, the identification and promotion of the intangible cultural heritage of the respective states through national inventories.
Set amidst the mountain landscape between Pyhrn and Priel, the forests of the Kalkalpen National Park and the river valleys of the region, ironworking has shaped the lives of the people here. Some of these craft techniques are now recognised as part of the region’s intangible cultural heritage.
Because, in the heart of Upper Austria, nature, cultural life, urban centres and craftsmanship come together within a compact area. Iron has shaped the 360° Alpenland region – a host of museums and demonstration workshops were once again brought to life with the 1998 provincial exhibition ‘Land der Hämmer’. The abbeys and monasteries were, and still are today, important cultural driving forces.
Yes. Many museums and themed trails – such as those around the Feitelmacher Valley – bring history to life and make it easy to understand. Culture becomes something you can really experience here. The Niglo parade in Windischgarsten or a visit to the Steyrer Kripperl are a real treat for the whole family.
Where can I find further information about the UNESCO World Heritage Site in the 360° Alpine Region?
Information on intangible cultural heritage as defined by UNESCO is available on the 360° Alpenland website. The Kalkalpen National Park’s website provides further details on the natural treasure known as ‘beech forests’. Detailed brochures containing background information are available at tourist information offices and national park visitor centres.