Palm Sunday at the Wilder Kaiser . by Bergland holiday apartment Söll

In the picturesque villages of Tyrol, Palm Sunday begins not only with the sound of church bells, but also with a smile and some affectionate teasing. The last person to get out of bed is given the mischievous title of “Palmesel”. But this nickname quickly fades in the face of the anticipation of what the day will bring.

Between tradition and cheerfulness:

Palm Sunday is much more than just a day in the calendar here in Söll; it is a living mosaic of tradition, community and joy. The streets and church squares of Tirol are filled with families preparing for the processions. The palm leaf is a central component … artfully tied bouquets of palm catkins and beech branches, which are tied the day before and decorated with colorful ribbons and sweet pretzels. While the girls proudly carry their palm bushes on Palm Sunday, the boys raise their palm branches high into the air. These are often an impressive spectacle: in places like Imst, competitions are held for the longest palm lath, sometimes reaching incredible lengths of up to 35 meters and requiring the strength of up to 30 young men!

The tying of the palm bush:

Tying the palm bush is an act of devotion and creative expression. Palm catkins are woven with green beech branches and colorful ribbons to create a symbol of life and hope. These lovingly crafted bushes are then consecrated in church on Sunday and serve as protection for homes and farms throughout the year. After mass, the families gather for breakfast or lunch together. Of course, one thing is a must: home-baked palm pretzels. These delicious treats, made from simple but lovingly prepared ingredients, are an integral part of this special day. Here at Appartement Haus Bergland, your luxury holiday apartment in Söll, we have put together a delicious recipe for you:

Recipe for Tyrolean palm pretzels:

An indispensable part of Palm Sunday in Tyrol are the home-baked palm pretzels, which are both a delight for the palate and part of the traditional customs. Here is a simple but delicious recipe for baking these tasty pretzels yourself.

Ingredients:

300 g plain flour 75 g soft butter 125 ml lukewarm milk 50 g sugar A little vanillin 1 sachet of dry yeast 1 pinch of salt

Preparation:

Start by placing all the ingredients in a bowl. Use a food processor with a dough hook to process them into a smooth dough.
Divide the dough into 16 equal portions and shape them into balls. Roll each ball into a long sausage with the heel of your hand.
Shape the dough sausages into small pretzels and place them on a baking tray lined with baking paper.
Brush the pretzels with a little beaten egg to give them a nice shine.
Bake the pretzels in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 15 minutes until they are golden brown.
Enjoy these delicious Palm Sunday pretzels after Palm Sunday Mass with a cup of tea or coffee and share them with your family and friends. They are not only a delicious treat, but also a symbolic expression of Alpine hospitality and tradition.

This is how Palm Sunday is experienced in Tyrol: a celebration of community, joy and faith, rooted in ancient tradition and yet full of joie de vivre. It is a day that brings people’s hearts together and heralds the warmth of the upcoming Easter holidays.

Source for the story:
https://www.tirol.at/blog/b-kulturleben/wie-ihr-beim-eierpecken-gewinnt-und-kein-palmesel-werdet-tirols-eigenwillige-osterbraeuche