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Webseite von Schweiz Tourismus, der nationalen Tourismusorganisation. Informationen zu Reisen, Ferien, Urlaub oder Kongressen in der Schweiz.

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There's an ancient Carnival parade in the traditional Swiss valley of Lötschental called the Tschaggatta. On February 7th more than 100 monsters roamed the valley villages from Blatten to Ferden. Clad in frightening hand carved wooden masks, larger-than-life furs, cowbells, and carrying sticks; they march through the valley and unleash a winter's worth of mischief.

As intriguing as they are, it's wise to stay out of the monsters' way. Or you risk being thrown into the snow. Had I known that I wouldn't have worn a bright pink bobble ball ski hat. I ate snow. Twice. In times past, onlookers who came too close would be doused with ash. Which made me grateful for just a dusting of white powder.

Dare I return, you'll find me dressed in black, standing in the shadows where the monsters cannot see me. But I can see them.

One story of the origins of the Tschaggatta is that the monsters scare off evil spirits that arise from the long dark isolated winters of the past. Another legend is that bands of thieves living high in the valley descended in frightening masks to steal from the villagers. Either way, the church banned the Tschaggatta in 1865. But the monsters persevered. Today, with or without the church's blessing, beginning February 3 rd, the monsters get free drinks at bars.

For the Tschaggatta, I stayed at the three-star Hotel Lötschberg in the traditional village of Kippel. The monsters march right through its old town and the hotel is walking distance to Lauchernalp's Wiler ski lift. The Lötschental valley isn't only famous for its monsters. Winter enthusiasts have long enjoyed the open bowls of Lauchernalp's ski paradise. You can ski and drink in views of more than forty 13,000 ft. peaks including, the "King of the Lötschental" the majestic Bietschhorn.

The village of Kippel is home to the famous Dorfkeller restaurant. Yet, had it not been completely booked that night, I would have missed out on the fantastic Restaurant Waliserkeller. Transported back in time, the walls were covered in Tschaggatta masks, Valais wine flowed, and after a long day tree skiing; I felt no guilt ordering the deliciously filling Fondue des Hauses. But the best was yet to come. Apricot liquor homemade by the watitress' uncle. Not to mention, Restaurant Waliserkeller served the best gluhwein I ever drank. But the infamous uncle's lips were sealed about his secret ingredients. Which is just another reason to return.

If I were to write a brochure for Lötschental, the headline would read "Come for the Skiing. Stay for the Monsters."

Both are worth a second and third visit. Just leave your pink bobble ski hat at home.
*I was the guest of Lötschental Tourismus. All opinions expressed are explicitly my own. *Photos are courtesy of Lötschental Tourismus.

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The Tschaggatta Swiss Valley: Skiing & Monsters in Lötschental * We Blog The World

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There's an ancient Carnival parade in the traditional Swiss valley of Lötschental called the Tschaggatta. On February 7th more than 100 monsters roamed the valley villages from Blatten to Ferden. Clad in frightening hand carved wooden masks, larger-than-life furs, cowbells, and carrying sticks; they march through the valley and unleash a winter's worth of mischief.

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Annual Event

February 23, 2017 Traditional Tschäggättä parade, starting at 8 pm in Blatten

February 25, 2017 Large Carnival procession, starting at 3 pm in Wiler

Stories, legends and myths are alive in the magical valley of Lötschental. Tschäggättä is probably the oddest Swiss carnival that you ever will experience. When night falls, the oversized masked figures rampage through streets in various villages between the Catholic holiday of Candlemass and Shrove Tuesday (the day before Ash Wednesday).

They are not organized in groups and appear unexpectedly as they please. The spectacular and frightening masques chase children and spectators alike, and tossing soot at unsuspecting victims.

There's no written account of the origins of this unique local custom. The first official mention of the Tschäggättä occurs in a church chronicle dating back to the second half of the 19th century. Apparently, the scary figures wreaked havoc and had grown more violent each year, and so the parish priest of Kippel wanted to see an end to this unchristian behaviour, or else, they would have to pay the exorbitantly high fine of 50 cents.

The masques are handmade of Arvenholz - a local pine-related conifer easy to work with - by local carvers. They then are painted and adorned with all kinds of material that give them an even wilder appearance: large cow teeth and horns, wacky hairdos of long goat hair - the weirder the better. The cushioned shoulders are covered by goat and sheep skin, and pants made of burlap potato sacks are held together with a large belt from which a cowbell dangles. Often, feet are wrapped in coarse fabric so masques can't be tracked down by their shoe soles. Colourful mittens knitted of "Triäm", leftover yarn from weaving, are especially helpful in the custom of soot throwing.

Until about the 1940s, only young men and bachelors had the right to wear the Tschäggättä, though customs changed and nowadays, boys, girls, women and men keep the tradition alive.

The highlights of this annual spectacle are the Thursday Tschäggättä procession followed by the carnival on Saturday before Ash Wednesday.

And don't forget to sample "Chiächlini" served by "Chiächlihäxä" (cake witches).

Various fringe events take place on Saturday: The best Tschäggättä will be awarded with a price in the gym of Wiler at 5pm; Carnival ball in Wiler starting at 8.30pm; Carnival bands play on Lauchernalp, starting at 11am.

Should you happen to be in Wiler outside the carnival season, visit Agnes Rieder's mask cellar, open year-round. She's a mask carver and displays Europe's largest mask collection. Give her a buzz (027 - 939 1355) or email to make an appointment.

If you holiday in the Lötschental, it can happen that you see the Tschäggättä rooming through the village street at nightfall during February and beginning of March.

Images and more Info: Lötschental Tourism

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Tschäggättä, a Swiss Carnival in the Lötschental Valley (VS)

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February 23, 2017 Traditional Tschäggättä parade, starting at 8 pm in Blatten February 25, 2017 Large Carnival procession, starting at 3 pm in Wiler Stories, legends and myths are alive in the magical valley of Lötschental. Tschäggättä is probably the oddest Swiss carnival that you ever will experience.

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Quite bold, these people from Ulm: The blinding-white modern Ulm Town House has been placed right opposite the dignified Ulm Minster, the historic Town Hall is neighbour to the Central Library built like a glass pyramid and in the middle of it all, you have the contemporary constructions in the New Centre. Is that alright? Does it look good?
But of course, because it shows that the people of Ulm have not just stood still and good luck getting bored here! Ulm, on one side of the Danube and Neu-Ulm, its Bavarian twin city on the other bank, bring together the traditional and the modern in an exciting combination: historic attractions like the Ulm Minster with the highest church tower in the world and imposing choir-stalls, the romantic Fishermen's and Tanner's Quarter with its quaint bridges and narrow streets, and the impressive Federal Fortifications with its many forts and walls are juxtaposed with sophisticated, contemporary architectural highlights like the wedge-shaped Kaufhaus around the corner from Münsterplatz square, the Weishaupt Art Gallery in the New Centre and the pyramid-shaped Central Library with its glass façade in Marktplatz square.

Multi-Faceted Art and Cultural Scene

The original art and culture scene is also very diverse here and ranges from all epochs, housed in the famous museums of the twin cities: You move from one end of the spectrum with 32,000-year old 'Löwenmenschen' considered the oldest man-animal sculptures in the world to Medieval masterpieces by Multscher and Syrlin, all the way to 20th-century works of art by the likes of Picasso, Warhol, Macke, Kollwitz and Scharff.

Festivals and Celebrations

But the people from Ulm and New-Ulm also know how to party with their guests: Highlights include the weekend before Oath Monday with the carnavalesque river parade 'Nabada' and the 'Serenade of Lights' on the Danube (July), the International Danube Festival (every two years in July/August) as also the Ulm Night of Culture (September). The atmosphere is more contemplative but no less festive at the Ulm Christmas Market, when over 100 gaily decorated stalls set up in the large square at the foot of the Ulm Minster, creating a little city within the city.

On the Water

In terms of leisure activities, Ulm/Neu-Ulm have a lot to offer as well: This includes, to just name a few, boat rides on the Danube, a visit to the zoo with a glass tunnel that you can walk through in the aquarium, the Wiblingen Cloister with its impressive library and basilica as also many parks and gardens.

Look Here, Look There

The guided tours through the Danube twin cities are also a great experience as you do not just have the classic city tours that cover the old city and the Ulm Minster, but you also have very unique routes like 'Medieval meets Modern' - an exciting architectural mix of historic buildings and new modern constructions that was introduced recently. You also have a tour through Ulm conducted by the city's musicians where they narrate anecdotes and songs from Medieval times and also slip in coarse joke or two.

An Excellent Conference Venue

We hear it often: Ulm is a great venue for a meeting or conference. And we think it's quite justified. In the Donauhalle, Congress Centre, ratiopharm area, Edwin Scharff House and in many hotels, you have access to rooms and halls fitted with the latest in communications technology.
Ulm is also a city for exhibitions and trade fairs. Technical exhibitions, consumer shows, regional, inter-regional, national and even important European fairs have a strong presence at these trade grounds along the Danube.

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Quite bold, these people from Ulm: The blinding-white modern Ulm Town House has been placed right opposite the dignified Ulm Minster, the historic Town Hall is neighbour to the Central Library built like a glass pyramid and in the middle of it all, you have the contemporary constructions in the New Centre.

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Tschäggättä. Tschwhata? A Swiss Valley's Unique Carnival Celebration

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Tschäggättä are frightening figures that wear furs, giant cowbells around their waists and carved wooden masks. Every inch of the person underneath the costume is covered to prevent their recognition. Tschäggättä walk the streets during Carnival waving large wooden sticks, scaring and/or tossing soot (nowdays confetti) at their unsuspecting victims. An unwritten rule, allows only unmarried...

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https://schwingeninswitzerland.wordpress.com/2013/02/08/tschaggatta-masks/

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6. Monschau, North Rhine-Westphalia

Just stick a toe outside Monschau and you're in Belgium, two kilometers over. But this tiny Rhineland town looks like it's been lifted straight from a period drama about Germany. It helps that World War II passed Monschau by, leaving it looking just as it did centuries before. The locals capitalize on this, and the town is virtually dedicated to tourism - all without a major attraction to draw visitors. No, the beauty of a day spent in Monschau lies simply in sitting in its cafes and wandering its streets, admiring the half-timbered houses and relaxing alongside the River Rur. Despite its dedication to tourism, Monschau doesn't feel crowded, possibly because there's no train station in town, making it harder to reach for visitors. Try to visit at Christmastime, when the entire town seems to blend in with the Christmas Market, making it feel like a page ripped from a child's storybook.

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5. Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg

This small city has definitely been discovered, with many calling it one of the most romantic (or perhaps Romantic, owing to its architecture) towns in the world. But even those without a hand to hold are likely to become enchanted by Heidelberg. Wake up early and get to Heidelberg Castle, a sandstone pile sitting 80 meters above the town, before the crowds. While it's possible to take a tour, the biggest draw is in simply wandering the castle's grounds, searching for the best view of the city sprawling below. To capture the castle itself, cross the River Neckar to stroll the Philosopher's Walk. Use the Old Bridge to return to the Old Town, where a mile long pedestrian street permits tourists to roam freely. And for those seeking more fun in the evening, the city's university population guarantees there's always something fun going on at night.

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5 Just stick a toe outside Monschau and you're in Belgium, two kilometers over. But this tiny Rhineland town looks like it's been lifted straight from a period drama about Germany. It helps that World War II passed Monschau by, leaving it looking just as it did centuries before.