The Christmas Shooters in Berchtesgadener Land

Christmas and New Year Shooting

The early tenure Farmers were obligated to join in National Defence. Even though Shooting has a long heritage in Berchtesgaden, it was forbidden by the Church in 1706 as being unchristian.

Yet it was still allowed for Festivals and obligatory on Special Occasions. Today the Berchtesgaden Christmas Shooters shoot at Christmas (Hence the Name), New Years Night and various Church Festivals like Whitsuntide, and certain Consecrated Festivals. Even Worldly celebrations like Berchtesgadens´ 900th Anniversary, Traditional Dress Day, or a Club Jubilee or by District Celebrations from the District Clubs (The waking of the Bride on her Wedding Day is a good example).  

One week before Christmas Eve, around 15:00, along with the ringing of Church Bells, prayers are offered to the Rosary and outside the Houses, the Christmas Shooters shoot their Guns. This kind of Shooting is also connected with the Olden Tradition of the Smoke Shooters. On Christmas Eve around six o´ clock in the Evening, after the animals have been fed, and before the Barns have been consecrated with incense and a prayer with the Rosary, the Farmer takes his Gun and lets off three shots. In the outer Counties this is performed before the Christmas “Mette” (a Soup made from the Head, Ears and Trotters of a Pig) and after the Shooting of the Black Powdered Hand Blusterers (Hand Böllers).

On New Years Eve Night the various Shooting Clubs meet, a half hour before Midnight, and fire their Hand guns (Handböller) ever louder until midnight. The Shooting Organisation, Die Oberherzogberger, established in 1887, used to fire eight rounds, around midnight, from large Cannons to bring in the New Year. In certain Clubs it is Traditional to honour the Patron of the Club with a Salute from a “Standerl” (Large Blunderbuss Gun). Smaller Clubs are formed to visit the relative Houses to receive small donations or snacks. All Villages in the Berchtesgaden Region take part in this Tradition, some shoot until Daybreak. This Tradition has its´ roots deep in Local History and, with deep conviction, will continue on as a permanent Tradition. This custom is taken seriously, and not just put on for show.