On the hunt for the Elwetritsch: myths and customs of the Palatinate!

On the hunt for the Elwetritsch: myths and customs of the Palatinate!

At Bad Dürkheim, an extraordinary adventure will take place on March 29, 2025: the hunt for the legendary mythical creature Elwetritsch. Under the direction of the experienced tourist and hunting director Joachim Hey, a group of over 20 participants gathers in front of the barrel on the Dürkheim fairground. Many of those present have already “glowed” in a nearby vinotheque to get in the mood for the upcoming events.

The group from Krefeld, consisting of five women, is particularly striking, two of whom come to the event via Uber. Before looking for the Elwetritsch, however, it was necessary to overcome some organizational hurdles. For example, twelve bottles of rosé were deposited, but Mysterios have disappeared. These circumstances are causing the hunting company because the participants could "fall dry" without the right mental preparation. Joachim Hey calms the group by emphasizing that Elwetritsche is "actually always" seeing the more you drink, which reflects a curious and traditional logic for some.

The Elwetritsch: A nature of the German folklore

The Elwetritsch is described as a fringed fable creature that has its home in the dense forests of the Palatinate in southwestern Germany. It belongs to a number of mythical birds in the German folklore. This mysterious bird arises from the intersection of country and water birds such as quails and vineyards, enriched with properties of mythical beings such as goblins and elves. The description of the Elwetritsch includes scale -like skin, a long beak and impressive antlers, although the Elwetritsch is unable to fly and runs around on the ground. Occasionally lay eggs.

The legends around the Elwetritsch go back to the 16th century and reflect in various cities of the Palatinate, including Dahn and Neustadt on the Weinstrasse. Local monuments, such as fountains, have been built in honor of Elwetritsch. The stories about this mythical creature are also widespread in the USA, especially among the Pennsylvania Dutch, which the folklore brought with them in the 17th and 18th centuries.

cultural importance and hunting tradition

The Elwetritsch has developed into a symbol of Palatinate identity and culture. Events and museums are dedicated to this creative mystical creature, so that both locals and tourists are captivated. The hunt for the Elwetritsch, also known as the "Elwetritsch-Jagdreich", is a traditional custom, with the participant, as a so-called "driver", which Elwetritsch drive out of his hiding place while a "catcher" is waiting for hunting nearby. This customs care remains an important part of regional culture. animal.info describes that the legends around the Elwetritsch captivate children and adults alike.

The fascination for the fabulous creature Elwetritsch combines generations and promotes dealing with the culture of the Palatinate. This can also be seen in the current hunting, not only hope for a possible sighting of Elwetritsch, but also want to experience the traditional attachment with their stories and the landscape.