Christmas at the Löwen is Christmas as it used to be
Those who celebrate Christmas with us at ‘Hotel Der Löwe’ are travelling back in time, so to speak. They say goodbye to the world of today's Christmas, which is characterised by consumerism and kitsch, and rediscover the spirit of Christmas past. Nobody knows what it was like in Leogang back then better than Rupert Madreiter, who grew up in the ‘Gasthaus Leogangerhof’ in the 1970s and now runs the Hotel Der Löwe together with his family.
Rupert, what memories do you have of Christmas celebrations in your childhood and youth?
It was a completely different time. Back then, we only had a few guests at Christmas, if any at all. We often didn't open the inn until after 24 December. But the biggest difference was that Christmas was a modest celebration for us. Our parents decorated the house together, then we sat together and at some point the Christmas bell rang and the Christ Child arrived.
There were no big presents. That wasn't even necessary - we were very happy to receive a new hat or ski gloves. If there was a new sledge or a pair of skis, that was something really special.
Gastgeber Rupert Madreiter
How do you try to convey this feeling to your guests today?
Christmas is still celebrated very traditionally here at the Löwen. Only the food has changed: Instead of sausage soup and the traditional Bachlkoch - a porridge made from milk and flour with a little honey, which the locals still serve today - we prepare a festive Christmas menu for our guests. The aperitif reception by the open fire is accompanied by Christmas music, mulled wine and roasted chestnuts. The festive menu itself is framed with Christmas stories and the lighting of the candles on the decorated Christmas tree with the classic ‘Silent Night Holy Night’. Homemade Christmas baking is of course a must and the little Löwen guests receive presents from the Christ Child. Outside, you can listen to the tower bells on the steeple of the baroque Leogang parish church. If you want, you can then go to Christmas mass, the beautiful Leogang parish church is right next to our hotel.
Are there any traditional customs that are still practised in Leogang?
In our region, the ‘Frautragen’ is still very popular and is based on the biblical search for a hostel. The Leogang children also go from house to house singing carols. There are also the classic Advent markets. On 2 days before Christmas, we also organise a beautiful Advent market in front of the hotel, where locals and guests meet.
Another beautiful custom is the ‘smoking’ with incense and herbs. The farmers still do it today and go through the house and barn. Legend has it that they let out the old air and replaced it with healing scents. Today, we go from guest to guest in the same way after the Christmas meal with incense and wish them good health. Of course, a healthy schnapps is a must.
[Translate to English:] Rupert & Barbara Madreiter Traditionelles Rauchengehen an Heiligabend
You talk a lot about the guests. Do you and your family still have time to celebrate?
Not really, but that's normal in our profession. We have a lot to do before the actual festivities with planning, preparing and decorating. We celebrate a little on 24 and 25 December in the afternoon with our family, that's a must. On Christmas Eve itself, our house is already quite full, so it's just not possible that our employees are working and we're not. But if our work is worthwhile, the guests get into the Christmas spirit and it's a nice and contemplative celebration for everyone, we're more than happy and we enjoy the special time together with our guests.
The ideal Christmas present
There are many good reasons to spend Christmas with us at Hotel Der Löwe in Leogang. Immersing yourself in the unspoilt, white mountain world, the crackling snow on the way to Christmas mass and, above all, slowing down after the hectic Advent season are certainly among them. Of course, it's also a good idea to give the gift of time together and a gift voucher from us under the Christmas tree is the best present.
