The Custom of “Liebstatt” Sunday
Literally the most heartfelt day of the year in Gmunden.
Since the year 2014, the Liebstattsonntag is an intangible cultural heritage of UNESCO.
This special custom was already founded in 1641. The bishop of Passau, who was responsible for Gmunden at the time, instructed the Gmunden town priest to invite the poor of the town to a communal meal on the fourth Sunday of Lent.
This custom has been preserved – of course in a somewhat modified form – until today.
Like every year, Liebstattsonntag is held in the middle of Lent and begins with a solemn church procession with the traditional costume societies. This is followed by the giving away of gingerbread hearts adorned with a saying on the Gmundner Rathausplatz (town hall square).
