The tradition can also be observed at various events in Saalfelden Leogang. Either you enjoy the solstice festival at the Ritzensee, the solstice fire at the seat or the "fire performance" with Thomas Girbl and musical accompaniment at the Hotel PURADIES.
Centuries-old traditions and a luminous noble white made of 800 torches
In Saalfelden Leogang these fires are considered particularly beautiful and elaborate. Club members of the Alpenverein, the mountain rescue service, the fire brigade and the nature lovers stage the Leoganger Steinberge and the Steinerne Meer every year with the many fires. From the valley, the luminous outlines of the mountains and the many fire pictures can be observed particularly well. One of the most famous fire pictures is the Edelweiss in the snow pit of the Steinerne Meer, between Persailhorn, Mitterhorn and Breithorn. For more than 50 years, the Saalfelden Fire Department has been drawing the 100-meter-wide and 180-meter-long Edelweiss with about 800 torches into the snow pit at over 2,000 meters. The exact size of the effigy depends on the current snow conditions. At 22.00 o'clock three red balls are fired from the valley as the starting signal for the ignition of the fires. Then the mountains shine – pure magic!
According to an old tradition dating back to the 14th century, countless fires are lit in the Leogang mountains and the Steinern Sea on the shortest night of the year. According to the Pinzgau folk belief, the solstice fire casts out evil demons that cause disease, livestock damage or hail damage. The fire was a symbol of the sun and was also intended to bring growth and fertility to meadows and fields.
Sunturn Festival at the Ritzensee
Saalfelden ignites guests and locals alike with a solstice festival at the picturesque Ritzensee. Countless fires are lit on the ridges around the Saalfeld Basin. The huge edelweiss in the middle of the snow pit ensures a glowing floral greeting until after midnight. This year, the fire brigade will light up the 2022 figure.
Programme:
- 18.00 Start of the event at the Ritzensee
- From 19.00 o'clock Musical framing by the small cast of the Eisenbahner Stadtkapelle Saalfelden
- From 10 p.m. the mountain fires burn out
- Free entry!
Sunturn light at the seat
The mountain ridges are on fire! In a radius of 360° degrees you can admire thousands of solstice lights from the Asitz (1,870m above sea level).
Programme:
- Special ride of the Asitzbahn continuously from 17.00 to 24.00 (uphill and valley ride: ? 20,- (special price from 17.00))
- Culinary specialities (hat and fondue food on pre-order) and live music with “Landfunk Tirol” are well catered for in the AsitzBrau.
- For the youngest visitors there is a bouncy castle at the mountain station.
- from 9 p.m.: Hike to the small asitz (20 – 30 minutes)
- From 10 p.m.: Burn out the solstice fires! (Fuel is available! Solid footwear and warm clothing is recommended.)
- Children up to 15 years free!
Fire performance with Thomas Girbl
On the 18th of June at 7.30 p.m. a slightly different fire burning for the solstice will be offered at the Hotel PURADIES: Thomas Girbl with his fire performance, the program will be framed musically by Jorg Hanusch. This event is organized by the Kulturverein FREIRAUM Leogang.
Free entry! To register, please call +43 6583 8278 - info.puradies.com.
