Excursions to the Osterbrunnen (Easter wells) throughout the Fränkische Schweiz
(region of Northern Bavaria, Germany - the Franconian Switzerland)
The decoration of the Easter wells, perhaps the most charming custom in the Fränkische Schweiz, has experienced a great revival in the last few years and has become a popular attraction.
People are now interested in how long this tradition has been existence and how it came about. The tradition`s origin cannot be determined exactly but the area in which it began can be narrowed down to the central region of the Fränkische Schweiz.
The main reason for decorating the wells and springs lies primarily in the significance of water as the life-giving element for the arid plateaux of the Fränkische Alb (Franconian Alps). Before the advent of the central water supply system which we take for granted today, various wells and collecting tanks were constructed to counter the aridity as, for geological reasons, there were hardly any natural collection points for water in the Franconian mountains. Generally it was the women who then drew the drinking water from these sources and hauled it laboriously to their dwellings. Naturally these sources were kept clean and well-tended and in some places the inhabitants erected a so-called well house over the well.
People are now interested in how long this tradition has been existence and how it came about. The tradition`s origin cannot be determined exactly but the area in which it began can be narrowed down to the central region of the Fränkische Schweiz.
The main reason for decorating the wells and springs lies primarily in the significance of water as the life-giving element for the arid plateaux of the Fränkische Alb (Franconian Alps). Before the advent of the central water supply system which we take for granted today, various wells and collecting tanks were constructed to counter the aridity as, for geological reasons, there were hardly any natural collection points for water in the Franconian mountains. Generally it was the women who then drew the drinking water from these sources and hauled it laboriously to their dwellings. Naturally these sources were kept clean and well-tended and in some places the inhabitants erected a so-called well house over the well.
As mentioned above, it is not possible to say exactly when this custom started. Word of mouth has placed the tradition at around the beginning of the 20th Century - for example, well decorating started in Aufseß around 1909 and in Engelhardsberg around 1914. The custom lapsed im many places after the Second World War at the beginning of the 1950`s, primarily due to the installation of the central water supply system. At the beginning of the 1980`s there was an intensive revival of the decoration of Easter wells and in 1986 there were 226 Easter wells at 169 locations.
The tradition of decorating an Easter well starts with the cleaning of the well, called "Fegen". In the past, this task used to be carried out by the young men of the community, but it is now done by the women decorating the well or their husbands. Once clean, the decoration process begins which, in the venacular, is called "Brunnenputzen".
Ornaments include real blown eggs, either painted in one colour or with decorative designs. In many places the organizers substitute the real eggs with plastic ones as the real eggshells can be destroyed by the weather or acts of vandalism.
Single paper streamers or so-called "Pensala", streamers tied in bunches, are also used as ornaments. Garlands and spruce are wound around the body of the well or woven to form a frame or a crown to which the eggs are fastened. In some places real flowers are also used to decorate the wells.
If all this sounds interesting to you and you would like to see some of those decorated Easter wells, there is the perfect chance: The Tourist Office of Forchheim offers a guided bus tour on March or April leaving the train station in Forchheim at 9.15 a.m. (return around 5 p.m.). The tour costs 17 € and includes a guided tour through a distillery (one drink, schnapps or a soft drink are also included and there are two breaks for you to buy lunch and coffee in the afternoon if you like). For more information and booking call + 49 9191 714-360, +49 9191 714-337, + 49 9191 714-338. Of course, you can also go on a "Osterbrunnen Tour" on your own by car.
- Easter Well Tour for individual guests
- Easter Well Tour (for groups)
The tradition of decorating an Easter well starts with the cleaning of the well, called "Fegen". In the past, this task used to be carried out by the young men of the community, but it is now done by the women decorating the well or their husbands. Once clean, the decoration process begins which, in the venacular, is called "Brunnenputzen".
Ornaments include real blown eggs, either painted in one colour or with decorative designs. In many places the organizers substitute the real eggs with plastic ones as the real eggshells can be destroyed by the weather or acts of vandalism.
Single paper streamers or so-called "Pensala", streamers tied in bunches, are also used as ornaments. Garlands and spruce are wound around the body of the well or woven to form a frame or a crown to which the eggs are fastened. In some places real flowers are also used to decorate the wells.
If all this sounds interesting to you and you would like to see some of those decorated Easter wells, there is the perfect chance: The Tourist Office of Forchheim offers a guided bus tour on March or April leaving the train station in Forchheim at 9.15 a.m. (return around 5 p.m.). The tour costs 17 € and includes a guided tour through a distillery (one drink, schnapps or a soft drink are also included and there are two breaks for you to buy lunch and coffee in the afternoon if you like). For more information and booking call + 49 9191 714-360, +49 9191 714-337, + 49 9191 714-338. Of course, you can also go on a "Osterbrunnen Tour" on your own by car.
- Easter Well Tour for individual guests
- Easter Well Tour (for groups)
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