Gold Bonnet and Traditional Costume Pilgrimage

What's it about?

Goldhauben pilgrimage on August 15, 2026, at Melk Abbey: The Wachauer Medelike (chairwoman A. Weixlbaum) and the Mostviertel (chairwoman D. Heinzl) invite you to the festival with magnificent traditional costume, festive mass, and traditional herb blessing. - The Wachauer Goldhauben Medelike association was founded in 2016 and now extends with its over 30 members across the entire Wachau region. They aim to set an outward sign to contribute to the preservation and protection of the Wachau traditional costume with its unique gold bonnet in the World Heritage Site. With dignity and pride, they wear their festive costume at various celebrations and church occasions. A yearly highlight is their "Goldhaubensonntag" (Gold Bonnet Sunday), which is solemnly celebrated every second Sunday in July at Melk Abbey, accompanied by the "Goldhaubenmänner" (Gold Bonnet Men), who are also dressed in traditional costume. Further joint activities include excursions into the Wachau culinary region, where they enjoy experiencing and savoring the wonderful landscape and its culture. Over the years, the Wachauer Goldhauben Medelike association has become an integral and firm component of folk culture in the Wachau World Heritage Site.