Culture & Traditions

Village Museum s'Paules and s'Seppls House
Blochziehen „Bloch-Pulling“ in Fiss

A precious gem from long-forgotten time.

The impressive farmhouse dominates the historical village of Fiss centre with its large round arch, the tiny windows and ornate roof.

As many other farmhouses in this region, it also shared the fate of inheritance partition to the last, as the house was abandoned a few decades ago. The famous museum architecture office H.G. Merz from Stuttgart (known by the Tyrol Panorama) developed a new concept with archaeologists, architectural historians, folklorists and the museum association. With careful changes a "new" museum was built, which shows the very varied architectural history of the house and on the other hand, also documents the lives of its inhabitants.

Opening Hours in Winter:
Tuesday and Wednesday from 3:00 6:00 p.m.
Guided museum tours every Thursday at 4:30 p.m.
Entrance fee:
Adults EUR 4.50; Children 7 years and older EUR 2.
Guided tours: Adults and children EUR 2 + entrance fee.
Important notice: The museum is not heated. Please dress warmly.
More Information

The „Blochziehen" in Fiss is one of the most famous very old, original carnival traditions in the Alps. It belongs to the eight most famous carnival traditions in the Tyrol. Every four years the feast takes place on the last Sunday in January. During „Blochziehen" 35 metre long trunk of a stone pine is pulled through the village.

It is a fascinating play of colours and masks representing the good and bad forces, the fight of the residents against the hardness and cruelties of winter, the desire of spring to come, to till the fields and the farm becoming fertile again. On the day of the procession, the participating figures assemble at the village centre and – at the command of the wagoner – the "Bloch" is put into motion by numerous masked persons. Witches and devils ("Schwoaftuifl") attempt to hamper the moving of the "Bloch". Playful elements are not only an essential detail, but also serve as entertainment for the spectators. Once the "Bloch" has arrived at the school house, it is then auctioned off.