Carnival Museum Absam

In the former fire station of Absam, the so-called "Spritzenhaus", the Association of the Absam Matschgerer (Carnival People of Absam) opened a small but mighty museum in the Eighties which is dedicated to these Carnival figures. The traditional figures are divided in groups and have really particular names, e.g. Alter (old man), Bär (bear), Bock (buck), "Klötzler" or "Spiegeltuxer".

Once a tradition only for adult men, Absam has also a group of young Matschgerer since the Eighties. The history of the Matschgerer dates back to the 18th century, back then a common Catholic custom in Switzerland, Germany and large parts of Austria. Already in the 19th century, masked people went from house to house, but only in the 20th century this was modified into a procession. The hustle and bustle always starts on the 18th of January, because on the 17th January 1797 the icon of the Virgin Mother appeared in Absam.

The small museum (Matschgerer-Museum Absam) shows the costumes of the Carnival figures and 200 wooden face masks: The oldest is 200 years old. Also photos and a movie tell the interesting history of the Absam Matschgerer. The procession is held every four years (the next time in 2024).