„Kothreine Morscht“

Every Year, a Piece of the Past

Hundreds of people stroll through the streets. Children stand at the fence, admiring the sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, and chickens. Excitement is written all over their faces. Men and women stand at the stalls, drinking tea and mulled wine, and tasting treats like hot chestnuts, roasted potatoes, and nuts. And the typical, traditional folk music makes the market perfect. This is the scene at the „Kathreine Markt“ in Mühlen in Taufers, one of the oldest markets in the Pustertal valley, with roots stretching back to the 17th century.

Market Regulations from the 17th Century

Every year on the Saturday near November 25th, or „Kothreine-Toug“ (St. Catherine's Day), the market of the same name is held in Mühlen, with a tradition that dates back to the 17th century. The Kathrein Market in Mühlen is one of the oldest markets in the entire Pustertal. In a written market regulation from the years 1678–1697, the then-rule of Taufers announced the holding of this market: „It shall be known to all and sundry that the Taufers dominion, by virtue of its arch-princely privileges and freedoms, will have a princely free annual market proclaimed, today, the day before St. Catherine’s Day and tomorrow on St. Catherine’s Day, lasting for two days and two nights, which shall be proclaimed and held annually in Mühlen.“ (Source: Translation: A market regulation for the Kathrein Market in Mühlen in Taufers (1678 – 1697) Christine Roilo/Gustav Pfeifer. South Tyrolean State Archive).

The entire market regulation was read out at the beginning of the market on the eve of St. Catherine’s Day and had to be strictly adhered to. It was, so to speak, the law of the market and primarily referred to the livestock trade. The market continued on the day of St. Catherine and lasted a total of two days and two nights. At some point, this annual market was abandoned until it was brought back to life in 1998 by the „Kothreine-Morscht-Komitee“ of Mühlen.

The „Kothreine-Morscht-Komitee“

For many years, the Kathrein Market in Mühlen was forgotten until, in 1998, the „Millina Kothreine-Morscht-Komitee“—consisting of three dedicated men—came together to revive this market. Today, there is also a „Kothreine-Verein“ (Kothreine Association), which was founded a few years after the committee and has several active members who are represented at the market with their own stall every year.

Karl Weger, the initiator of the Kathrein Market, still takes care of the organization, the smooth running, and an authentic and entertaining program. „We started with five stalls in 1998; today there are a total of about 30, including itinerant traders and farmers from the Tauferer and Ahrntal valleys who offer their homemade products here,“ says Karl Weger.

A key focus remains the presentation of old craft and economic techniques, which quickly made the market a social event again. It's especially important to the organizers that the „Kothreine-Morscht“ remains a traditional, rustic market with a high level of sociability. And they succeed. The market extends from the main street to the „Golla“ and „Larch“ inns. The festivities begin with a Mass at 9 am, after which—as tradition dictates—the old market regulations are read aloud in Benjamin Square in Mühlen in Taufers and the so-called „Kothreine Moscht“ is officially opened.

Every year there is much to taste, haggle over, and buy: traditional farm products like cheese, honey, sausage, and homemade bacon, „Melchamuis“ (a type of milk porridge), „Böxhörnkneidl“ (buckwheat dumplings), and „Schöttina Kropfn“ (sweet fritters). And there is plenty to see and marvel at during the small-animal, flea, and swap markets, with the „Tatlkroma“ (haberdashers), the Schuhplattler dancers, and the „Ziechaspielern“ (accordion players).

Kathrein Puts a Stop to the Dancing

The saying still holds true among the people: „Kathrein stellt den Tanz ein“ (Kathrein puts a stop to the dancing). Thus, on November 25, the feast day of St. Catherine of Alexandria, the patron saint of folk dance groups, the dance-free period—the Advent season—begins. According to Christian tradition, after this day, Advent begins the second penitential period, similar to Lent, which precedes Easter. Even the Luttach folk dance group rests their dancing shoes only after the evening of St. Catherine's Day. At the Kathrein Market in Mühlen, they still invite people to a children's dance and the traditional „Kothreinetonz“ (Kathrein dance).

In this way, people still let an exciting day full of insights into a bygone era come to a close with a glass of mulled wine or tea, so that the memory of long-past peasant holidays is brought back to life and made tangible for the local citizens.