Grosse Alpabfahrt in Einsiedeln

Die Alpabfahrt - well there really isn't a translation

Each Summer farm animals are brought up the mountains in the Alps to graze in the cooler temperatures and roam the mountaintops. As the weather starts to turn, the animals are brought down the mountains to their winter homes. (Y'all remember Heidi right?) Certain towns have celebrations as the animals are brought back down the mountain with parades.

Over the summer we were in Austria at an area where the cows roamed freely (see my previous posts about the cows on the roads). Today, Stephan and I went to the lovely town of Einsiedeln. Each year the animals are brought down the mountain, but every five years they host a town wide celebration.  The animals are dressed and celebrated. Cows, Mules, Sheep and Goats prance down the center of town as they head to their winter homes.

Einsiedeln is also home to a Benedictine Monastery so in between the parade we walked through the grounds.