In this Catholic area, people often made pilgrimages to churches or other nearby holy places. My great-grandmother would start off very early in the morning...

       One of the most important local festivals was the "Kirch-weih". Once a year for two days and nights, special "kirwa" cakes made with saffron were baked in the town's community oven. The whole town was made spic and span for the celebration.

       During the village festivals, animal trainers from Slovakia arrived on the scene. Their charges, muzzled with nose rings and chains, were led through the town to do their tricks.