Wooden masks from the Ahrntal

The work of the shepherds in the alpine pastures far away from the settlements was rather monotonous, so they sought other ways to pass the time. Carving on pieces of wood and roots was a welcome change, and so during the summer months, partly very elaborate carvings were created. In the autumn, the shepherds brought these decorative artworks down to the villages with the cattle, where the decorative artworks were highly appreciated. So carving soon also took place in the winter months. Many farms had a "Machkammer", a kind of workshop, where household appliances, axe handles and tools, and even plows and other necessary things were made. Carving also took place in the "Machkammern"; some even had a lathe, making more elaborate work possible.

With the end of mining in the Ahrntal - the mine in Prettau was closed in 1893 - and the simultaneous rise of tourism, commercial carving craftsmanship began. More and more farmers discovered carving as an interesting side job. In 1973, a carving school was founded in St. Jakob in the Ahrntal, which is dedicated to the care of this craft and its expert teaching. Over the years, numerous carvers, art carpenters, restorers, sculptors, and artists have emerged from it. Since 1999, the carving school has been based in Bruneck.

Mask carving is closely connected to the tradition of theater in the Ahrntal. During the so-called Nikolaus or Stubenspiele, the theater troupes moved from house to house on the long winter evenings and recited their rhymes and later whole plays. The actors were all men, so masks were used to portray the different roles - as in ancient Greek theater. This tradition of theater is still alive today, although there is now also a theater where the "Volksbühne Prettau" regularly performs a variety of plays from comedies to dramas and delights the audience. There has always been a need for masks for the Krampus and Perchten runs and carnival processions.

In addition to the masks with their terrifying grimaces, the sun is the most popular and traditional motif. The wooden carved sun has now become a symbol of the Tauferer Ahrntal, it stands for originality and closeness to nature and accordingly adorns the advertising brochures of the holiday region.

There is also a dedicated room for mask carving in the Maranatha Nativity Scene Museum in Luttach, where you can follow the creation of a mask. The process from the raw wooden block to the finished mask - also called "Larve" in colloquial language - is shown here vividly and in detail. Historical masks used in the Nikolaus plays can also be seen here.

Today, there is almost a carving workshop in every village in the Tauferer Ahrntal. Visitors are usually welcome, and there is not only the opportunity to purchase the skillful masks or other carvings, but also the opportunity to watch the masters at work.