Loving Sunday on the Traunsee
The 4th Sunday in Lent brings an unexpectedly sweet interruption to the rigours of fasting. The origins of this custom go back to the 17th century. Citizen members of the Corpus Christi Society committed themselves to the principles of brotherly love with a fine festival feast to which the poor were invited. To the common people this soon took the name “Liebstatt” – Loving Sunday for showing love and kindness for one another. A festival mass is held in Gmunden Parish Church in honour of the day followed by a parade in Upper Austrian Tracht costume with distribution of gingerbread love hearts. All day long Herzlmarkt – the Love Heart Market – is held in the town, a great event for lovers.
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