Viehscheid

Here in Bavaria the cows are driven up to the mountain pastures in the spring. They graze there all summer long. Come September the cows are driven back down the mountains. This is called the Viehscheid. (nouns are capitalized in German). Several small towns have mini festivals to celebrate these days throughout September.  There is usually a tent serving chicken and bier and sometimes groups of vendors selling their wares. Another reason to drink bier with friends in Bavaria.

I went to two different ones.  At the beginning of September, Steve and I went to a small Viehscheid in Rettenbach. We were surprised that it was just a parade of cows through the town to a little pasture. It took about 15 minutes. We were also surprised by the cow bells.  They are HUGE. Each cow wears a bell that is almost as big as her head. They are incredibly loud and it is very cool to hear. Strangely melodic. Some of the cows are also decorated with fancy headdresses or wreaths.

A week later I went with some friends to Kranzegg. I think this is the biggest Viehscheid in Bavaria and it always takes place on September 15th. Well unless the 15th is a Sunday, then it takes place on the 14th. Anyway, the center of this little town is intersected by many streets.  Every 15 minutes or so another group of cows is driven down one of the streets and through the town. So there are more opportunities to see the cows and hear the bells.  The town is quant with a lovely biergarten as well as many vendors and a biergarten tent for the day. There is even a bit of hiking to be done there.