Spark fire

After dark, the fire is lit to drive away winter and evil spirits, according to old popular belief. The spark fire, whose origins date back to pagan times, was first mentioned in the Schwangau chronicle in 1847.

A pile of large beams, branches and Christmas trees as well as old planks is stacked up for this purpose. The sparking pole is placed in the middle of the pile of sparks, which can contain up to 50 tons of wood. After the ceremonial address by the "Funkenkasper", the pile is then lit at nightfall. It usually takes around 45 minutes for the spark stick to fall.

Once it has burned, winter is finally driven out. The direction in which the sparking rod falls is also decisive, as it is said that the thunderstorms will come from this direction in the coming year.

The sparking fire will also be lit again this year in Schwangau in Tegelbergstraße.

On 22.02.26 at 19:00