Krampuses are alpine ghosts that appear mostly around Advent. The Krampus holiday officially falls on 5.12 - together with St. Nicholas. The tradition itself originated in the Alps and gradually spread throughout Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Hungary, Italy, Croatia - in the Czech Republic the most famous Krampuslauf passes through Kaplice. The history of the parades dates back to the middle of the 19th century. Each village has its own Krampuslauf group.

Extremely believable repulsive masks of devils and devils frighten young and old alike. They inspire incredible respect and fear not only by their appearance but also by their screams. The masks are carved from lime or pine wood and hand painted. Each mask consists of real horns used from mouflon, chamois, goats or rams. The horns can be smaller, but also more than a meter long. The coat and trousers are made from real furs. Krampuses make themselves known in their parades by shouting loudly from a distance. the parade is accompanied by the clatter of cowbells, chains, smoke, loud music, smoke and the roar of the Krampus themselves. Real Alpine cowbells are fastened around their waists and reach down to their knees. The other equipment of a proper hellion is a cow's tail, willow wicker for whipping, and sometimes a proper chain with which to whip around. They carry a knife on their backs to poke naughty children. The price of 1 wooden mask costs up to 500 euros, the whole disguise for Krampus costs about 1000 euros. Nowadays many places hold Krampuslaufs and competitions for the best carved mask.

The largest and most famous devil parade in the world is traditionally Schladming - about 50 passes - devil teams usually with a float carrying the chief hellraiser. The float sometimes shoots out fires, lights, and smokes brimstone. The wagons are pulled by devils, horses or horse-drawn carriages. The team consists of about 20 devils. Over 1,000 Krampuses from all over Austria, Bavaria, and northern Italy participate in the parade each year. Over 10,000 spectators attend this event each year.

If you wish to experience one of the scariest experiences in your life - definitely don't take elegant and new clothes, Krampuses like to mark their victims during the whole parade - with grease, coal, ashes.

Interesting fact - in some villages, only boys over the age of 18 who do not yet have a family can become a Krampus.

Distance

Schladming - Salzburg - 111 km (approx. 1.5 hours by car)

Schladming - Bad Gastein - 102 km (approx. 1.5 hours by car)