Touchingly, towns and villages will not hold a Viehscheid if something untoward happens to one of the cows out at pasture, but if they are all safe and well at the end of the season, then it’s full steam ahead!
I nearly thought it was German…but as soon as you said Alps.. Why are the bells so big and heavy on some cows?
When I was little we used to have some cow bells hanging up in the hall. I had forgotten all about them until I read this post. I used to love to walk past and set them clanging: they were a set of bells, going from largest to smallest, top to bottom. I must ask Mum where they are now and where on earth she got them from in the first place!
Fabulous photo and another event steeped in culture. Magical. Love the flowers on that cow’s head!
These Europeans are craaaaaaaazy (again!) , I would love to see it though.
Of course, aren’t we all :D I think the one with hundreds of cows must be really amazing, but I expect a lot more tourists would be at that one!
Oh, so neat! I’ve never seen a Viehscheid in person, but have seen lots of photo and video – so jealous! Racking my brains now to remember one I heard about – maybe in der Schweiz, Genfer See, not sure – where the cows are brought down the mountain and across the lake on boats and rafts – that’s another one I’d love to see!
Third picture down – that is one mighty cow-bell. Is it very heavy do you think?
We have lots of cow bells round here too but no lederhosen (?sp). I do love to see these quirky local traditions being upheld.
This is a beautiful post and looks like a lovely village/town. Which town is this? Lived in Germany for ten years, but have not experienced this yet…and do not like huge crowds. Your informative posts are so appreciated!