Absamer Matschgerer
Absamer Matschgerer

Carnival Museum Absam

The Carnival People of Absam document the history of this special tradition in an own little museum

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).

Contact info

Opening times

  • Tue 19 Mar closed
  • Wed 20 Mar closed
  • Thu 21 Mar closed
  • Fri 22 Mar closed
  • Sat 23 Mar closed
  • Sun 24 Mar closed
  • Mon 25 Mar closed

Despite careful control we cannot guarantee the correctness of the provided data.

Full timetables
Despite careful control we cannot guarantee the correctness of the provided data.

Winter closure 2024 (18/12/2023 - 06/04/2024)

  • Mon closed
  • Tue closed
  • Wed closed
  • Thu closed
  • Fri closed
  • Sat closed
  • Sun closed

Spring 2024 (07/04/2024 - 30/06/2024)

  • Mon closed
  • Tue closed
  • Wed closed
  • Thu closed
  • Fri closed
  • Sat closed
  • Sun 10:00 - 12:00 14:00 - 17:00

Labor Day 2024 (01/05/2024) closed

Ascension Day 2024 (09/05/2024) closed

Whit Monday 2024 (20/05/2024) closed

Corpus Christi 2024 (30/05/2024) closed

Summer closure 2024 (01/07/2024 - 31/08/2024)

  • Mon closed
  • Tue closed
  • Wed closed
  • Thu closed
  • Fri closed
  • Sat closed
  • Sun closed

Admission

free admission

guided tours on request

More information

The Carnival Museum is open every Sunday in spring and in autumn, closed in summer and in winter. Spring season start 2024 on April 7, autumn season start 2024 on the 1st of September.

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