Culture And Local Traditions In Damüls-Mellau

Damüls-Mellau offers an extensive selection of activities appropriate for tourists of all ages and interests together with a lively local culture. The Walser people live in the resort; they came to the region some 700 years ago and have painstakingly upheld their traditions and customs. Moreover, the resort has an amazing natural setting that provides lots of chances for outdoor activities and discovery.

Local traditions

The history, identity, and principles of the Walser people are reflected in the local customs of Damüls-Mellau. These folks moved throughout the 13th and 14th centuries from the canton of Valais in Switzerland. The Walser people successfully adapted to the difficult mountainous terrain, and as a result they created their own dialect, distinctive attire, building style, and agricultural methods. Numerous rituals, festivals, and crafts that are still followed and celebrated today are included in the local traditions.

Alpine transhumance:Alpine transhumance is an old and ecologically beneficial agricultural method. Cattle move sporadically from the valley to the high mountain pastures in the summer and back to the valley in the fall. The ability of cattle to graze on a range of fresh grasses and herbs thanks to Alpine transhumance improves their general health and the quality of their milk and meat. The alpine environment is made more beautiful overall and its biodiversity is preserved by the practice of alpine transhumance. Several activities characterize the beloved custom of alpine transhumance. Alpabtrieb is one of these occasions; it is a ceremonial ceremony when the cattle are returned to the valley. The cattle are cordially greeted and decorated with lovely flowers, ribbons, and bells on this happy occasion. Festive in nature, the Alpabtrieb usually takes place in late September or early October. It includes a fun market, delicious cuisine, cool drinks, and wonderful music. Among the many things you may buy in the market are cheese, butter, honey, and more.
Walser dialect: The Walser people in Damüls-Mellau and other parts of Vorarlberg, Switzerland, Germany, and Italy speak a unique and unusual language known as the Walser dialect. Though it has its own vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation, the Walser dialect is descended from the Alemannic dialect. The lively and always evolving Walser dialect captures the essence of the Walser people’s identity and culture. For the Walser people, their dialect represents their sense of belonging as well as a source of pride. They employ it in their writing, music, and art as well as in their regular talks.The Walser dialect is actively promoted by several associations and organizations and taught in schools.
Walser costume: The Walser people dress traditionally and vibrantly in the Walser costume for holidays, baptisms, and weddings. Hats, coats, skirts, pants, shirts, blouses, aprons and shoes are just a few of the components of the Walser costume. Wool, linen, cotton, and leather are among the materials used to make these parts. Among the many accessories for the Walser costume are belts, buckles, buttons, ribbons, and jewelry. These accessories are made of glass, horn, wood and metal. The Walser costume honors the people’s long history and extraordinary workmanship; they expertly design and finely stitch their own traditional clothing.Wearing a Walser costume allows one to communicate their personality, position, location, and season.
Walser museum: Located in Damüls, the museum presents an engrossing display on the lives and history of the local Walser people. There are fifteen chambers in the museum together with a stable. These rooms display a large variety of items connected to the valley’s agriculture, crafts, religion, and culture. Furthermore, the museum presents chosen subjects in special exhibits. Sundays from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM are the hours of operation for the museum. Apart from that, the museum organizes a number of events and offers guided tours.

Cultural attractions

Immersion in the rich history and a greater understanding of the local way of life are two excellent ways to improve your ski vacation in Damüls-Mellau. Cultural sites in the area include monuments, churches, and museums. These locations offer important new perspectives on the people, art, and architecture of the area. Apart from the cultural sites, there are several walks, trails, and routes accessible for seeing the area’s and its environs’ natural beauty.

Vorarlberg FIS Ski Museum: The magnificent Vorarlberg FIS Ski Museum is located near Damüls. It is an enthralling exhibition of the long history and development of skiing both in Vorarlberg and elsewhere. Among the almost 1,000 artifacts in the museum are skis, boots, poles, helmets, and medals. It also holds a range of images, movies, and paperwork. The museum also offers interactive exhibits like a ski jump, a ski simulator, and a ski waxing station. Open Wednesdays and Fridays from 15:00 to 18:00 and Sundays from 10:00 to 12:00, the museum is closed on Sunday. Furthermore offered by the museum are talks, seminars, and guided tours.
Mellau Parish Church: Located in Mellau, this medieval church has roots in the fifteenth century. Beautiful fusion of Baroque and Gothic architectural styles can be seen in the church. It has a sacristy, choir, nave and tower. Rich inside, the church has an organ, baptismal font, pulpit, and altar. Daily hours of the church are 8:00 to 18:00. It offers weddings, concerts and regular services. Renowned painter Hubert Berchtold and eminent poet Franz Michael Felder are among the prominent people buried in the graveyard of the church.
Museum Großes Walsertal: Tucked away in the village of Sonntag, the museum offers a perceptive look into the lives and past of the locals. There are fifteen chambers in the museum together with a stable. These areas display a variety of items connected to the valley’s agriculture, crafts, religion, and culture. Furthermore, the museum presents chosen subjects in special exhibits. Sundays from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM are the hours of operation for the museum. Apart from that, the museum organizes a number of events and offers guided tours.
Propstei St. Gerold:Nestled in the town of St. Gerold, which is regarded as the valley’s cultural hub, lies the Propstei St. Gerold. Einsiedeln Monastery created the provostry, a little monastery. People congregate there now days to use their senses, interact, and find purpose. There are many more things to do and experiences at the provostry for guests to relish. These consist of wine tastings and chances to savour excellent cuisine and wine, as well as lectures, cultural activities, guided excursions, the road of the senses and stillness. In addition, the provostry provides Benedictine hospitality, allowing visitors to remain and fully experience the special spiritual ambiance.

Local activities

With so many local activities to suit all interests, Damüls-Mellau offers enough of chances for adventure and leisure among the breathtaking scenery and cultural heritage of the area. There are plenty different sports, pastimes, and leisure activities available in the neighborhood. Many seasons, skill levels, and personal tastes are catered to by these choices. There are many of trails, walks, and routes available for tourists to explore and enjoy the diversity and beauty of the area and its surrounds thanks to the local activities.

Skiing and snowboarding: Winter sports in Damüls-Mellau are primarily and highly sought-after, attracting a big number of tourists every year. The resort has a cutting edge lift system that effectively links the ski regions of Faschina, Mellau, and Damüls. There is something to enjoy for everyone thanks to the more than 100 kilometers of slopes and ski paths that accommodate all skill degrees. The resort guarantees great snow conditions for the whole season from December to April. For skiers and snowboarders, the resort provides ski schools, ski rentals, ski depots, and ski buses among other amenities. Numerous activities and events catered especially to skiers and snowboarders are available at the resort. These comprise night skiing, a ski show, a halfpipe, a snowpark, and a ski race.
Hiking and biking: Drawn in huge numbers of visitors annually, these two summertime activities are the most popular in Damüls-Mellau. With a network of hiking and biking paths ranging in elevation from 710 to 2,050 m, the resort provides a selection of routes and experiences for all ability levels. A variety of landscapes and scenery, including woods, meadows, pastures, lakes, and peaks, all offer amazing views and experiences, are additional characteristics of the resort. At the resort, hikers and bikers will also discover hiking and biking maps, guides, rentals and transportation. At the resort, hikers and cyclists may also take part in a hiking and biking marathon, a hiking and biking challenge.
Tobogganing and ice skating: Wintertime fun in Damüls-Mellau includes ice skating and tobogganing, which are great for families and individuals of all ages. A 2.5 km long toboggan run with a 400 m elevation difference is located on the Uga slope, next to the Uga Express chairlift. Everyday from 9:00 to 16:00, the toboggan run is open; on Tuesdays and Thursdays, it is lit from 19:00 to 21:30. Anyone who bring their own toboggan can use the toboggan run for free; everyone else must pay 5 euros. The resort features two ice rinks as well: one in Mellau next to the Mellaubahn cable car and one in Faschina next to the Faschina chairlift. Everyday from 9:00 a.m. to 21:00 p.m., the ice rinks are free for those who bring their own skates; others pay 3 euros and 2 euros, respectively. Together with the ice rinks, there are surrounding cafés and shelters serving food and beverages.
Walser im Wald: Annual musical summer series Walser im Wald takes place in July and August. Different parts of Damüls’ charming meadows and woodlands host it. Both local and visiting musicians play a range of musical genres on the show, from rock to classical. Apart from that, the show offers a variety of events including seminars, workshops, and guided walks. Delectable cuisine and cool beverages are also available to guests. A unique and exclusive chance to enjoy Damüls’ rich culture and the splendor of environment is provided by the series.