Folklore Museum
For many years now, the grounds of Hellbrunn Palace have been home to the Salzburg Museum's folklore collection, which provides a comprehensive insight into Salzburg's folk culture. One of the highlights of the folklore museum is the presentation of the most beautiful traditional costumes typical for the counties in the Province of Salzburg. During the summer months there is also an special exhibition which changes annually.
From the Hellbrunn Park the path leads through the forest to the Hellbrunn Hill. This idyllic location with a magnificent view of Hohensalzburg Fortress and the grounds and palace of Hellbrunn, is home to the Monatsschlössl – originally built as a hunting lodge for Prince Archbishop Markus Sittikus in 1615. Since 1924 it has been home to the Salzburg Museum, a small but informative cross-section of the town's history, with a collection of folkloristic exhibits well worth a visit.
Elaborately painted ornamental rustic furniture from the Leyrerhof in Gries im Pinzgau documents the transition from Rococo to the empire in Salzburg's rustic furniture art. Within the Central European region, the unmistakeable individuality and style of these "Pinzgauer Blankholzmöbel" [Pinzgau natural wood furniture] from the 18th century are of the highest quality. Monastic works, the iconographically remarkable oil painting of the "Holy Trinity", the large Rauris Lent scene, reverse glass paintings, religious protection and healing remedies and last but not least the "Totenbretter" [memorial boards], which are typical for Salzburg, document the spiritual/religious life of the local population of long ago.
Figurines with traditional costumes from the individual regions of the province of Salzburg are displayed in the so-called "Grosser Saal" [great hall] on the second floor of the Folklore Museum. Here the viewer is also introduced to the most important customs of the Province:
- the carrying of the Prangstangen [ornamental procession poles] in the Lungau
- the Krampus parades
- the Trestern [harvest dancers] in Pinzgau
- the Glöcklerlaufen [procession of ornate folk figures with bells]
in Flachgau In terms of their size alone, the figures of Samson from Lungau with his dwarf companions and the Pongauer Schönperchten with their elaborate headdresses are among the special attractions of the museum in the Monatsschlössl. The headdress consists of two panels placed one above the other or a pointed cap, covered all over with flowers or jewellery. They can reach a height of up to over two metres and weigh up to 45 kilograms.
The Folklore Museum celebrates its 100th anniversary with the exhibition Masks, traditional custumes, cult objects - 100 years of folklre collecting.
