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