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Puachstoana mit dem Pucher PalmeselPhoto: TVB Puch
A unique Easter custom in Austria
Every year on Palm Sunday in the Tennengau municipality of Puch near Hallein, the historic ‘Pucher Palmesel’ is carried through the village. The palm donkey is a figure carved out of wood with Jesus sitting on a donkey. During the year, the figure is located in the bell tower of Puch parish church and can be admired behind the secure bars.
HISTORY: This ecclesiastical custom of ‘carrying the palm donkey’ used to be common in many places. It was not until 1785 that Archbishop Hieronymus Colloredo of Salzburg banned these palm donkey processions and all palm donkeys in the country had to be destroyed. However, the Puchers hid a 17th century palm donkey on a farm and so the donkey was able to survive. Since the 19th century, the palm donkey has once again been carried through the village in a solemn procession. This custom is unique in SalzburgerLand and enjoys great popularity.
The palm donkey from Puch is 400 years old. Alongside a second wooden donkey in Thaur in Tyrol, it is now the last of the Easter processional figures that were once so popular in the Middle Ages and were used to bring the Bible stories closer to the non-reading population. The Puchers pulled the donkey with the blessing Christ out of the Salzach. During the Enlightenment, the popular figures were suddenly frowned upon. Archbishop Hieronymus Colloredo therefore had them banned in 1785.
The Puch donkey, which probably originally came from Hallein, was therefore thrown into the river. It was rescued in Puch and hidden in the Koller farmer's stable until it was allowed to take part in the procession again. He had to go into hiding again during the Nazi era. You can hardly see the wooden statue's chequered history: With a bridle made from cowrie shells and a constantly renewed coat for the Christ figure, it has now found a home in the bell tower, where the donkey can be admired throughout the year until it makes its grand entrance on Palm Sunday.
Further information on Easter customs in Puch can be found in the PUCH MAGAZINE at: www.puch-salzburg.com/en/magazine/pucher-palmesel-easter.htm
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+43 6245 80125 http://www.pfarrverband-hallein.at E-mail: pfarre.puch@eds.at
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