Bavaria was already populated in the Stone Age. The Danube Valley played an important role at all times. It was believed that the Danube Valley was the immigration route of the Cron-Magron people. However, with the exploration of the Neolithic period, the Danube Valley increasingly turned out to be a trade route. In prehistory there were preferred settlement areas. The expansion of settlements in the low mountain ranges is often dated to the pre-Roman Iron Age.

www.bayerischer-wald.de

This immediately raises the question “which city is the oldest city in Bavaria?”. The spirits argue about this. The oldest settlement remains in the city of Augsburg (Latin: Augusta Vindelicorum) in the urban area of today's Augsburg-Oberhausen district date back to around 8/5 BC. to 6/9 AD. While Kempten can provide the first evidence in a document from 18 AD.

Bavaria and Bohemia have been geographically close since the early Middle Ages. Important long-distance trade routes ran through both countries, and there were cultural influences in customs and language. Politically, relations between Bavaria and Bohemia were close, but not always free of conflict. King Přemysl Otakar II of Bohemia tried in vain to win the crown of the Roman-German Empire. With the proclamation of democratic Czechoslovakia in 1918, Bohemia became part of the Czech Republic. Bohemia covers the western two thirds of the Czech Republic.The Bavarian Forest is called “Bohemian Forest” on the Czech side. They cannot be separated from each other. Both together are considered not only the largest, but also the oldest contiguous forest mountains in Central Europe.

Austria belonged to Bavaria until 1156. Hardly anyone knows that today. Privilegium minus, also known as the Small Letter of Freedom, is an imperial document from 1156, on the basis of which the March Ostarrîchi (Marcha Austria) was converted into a duchy independent of the tribal duchy of Bavaria. Bavaria and Austria have a lot in common. Similarities in lifestyle, language and mentality as well as art and architecture on both sides of the Inn. Both are almost the same age. Austria is only slightly larger than Bavaria. The Zugspitze is shared by Bavaria and Austria.

At 1373 m, the Lusen is the fifth highest mountain in Lower Bavaria. Its rocky peak is a geological attraction. 

There are legends about the creation of this mountain. The devil is said to have buried his gold here. To prevent his gold from being stolen, he piled heavy granite blocks on top of his treasure.

Another story says that the devil was collecting stones to destroy a church in the valley. When he heard the monastery bell ringing in the distance, he jumped, dropped his stones and disappeared.

A rider from Deggendorf started the journey late in the evening. Accompanied by the moonlight He was alone on the plain. From Regen to Bischofsmais the long journey was pleasant. But suddenly in the tall forest it was bitterly cold in Greising.

A snowstorm broke in, obscured the moon and starlight.

The forest was soon covered in snow, he saw no trace of the path. The Bohemian wind broke branches and trees broke under their weight. His white horse began to buck, He didn't take a step.

Reared up on hind feet, he raged and foamed wildly.

“was it a wolf or was it a bear, was it a ghost?" He couldn't see anymore! “That’s how it must be in hell.” so he thought, in fear and torment. 

“To hell with the storm! Where is my way, the way home?”

In his distress, in half madness, he called on the Mother of God. “Hear me, helper of need; As a thank, I will put your portrait!” As if by magic it split the wall of snow and clouds! A shiver ran over the back: There! A hand appeared in the forest. She was snow white and showing the direction he can ride! Then he spurred his horse, that suddenly trotted carefree. To Greising; he stayed there the night, where he wakes up the next day, and rode home to his city, which he gratefully entered. And the vow came true; Mary's image, beautiful and clear, last kept in Greising, -  it was the reason for the pilgrimage! But the wanderer can see the hand made of wood stands on the path.

from Adalbert Hartmann

Before the railway was built here, a messenger car ran regularly between Straubing and Passau every week. On a dark winter evening the messenger drove back to Straubing. The snowflakes danced close to the earth and the wind howled and howled terribly. The messenger was still hours from his destination when the wind blew out his lantern. So we had to drive carefully; because back then there were still many fences with their trap gates, the so-called “Falter”. Yes, oh wonder! Whenever the cart passed a “Falter,” a small light appeared to open and close it. After the last “Falter” was over, the carter said: “You have done me a great service, light!” May God reward you!” Then the little light flew up with a cry of joy and shouted: “Now I am redeemed!” Then it disappeared.

from Michael Waltinger, Niederbayerische Sagen

Between December 21st and 06.01. So-called rough nights take place on which the spiritual realm is open. Souls, ghosts and demons have an exit and can set off on the “Wild Hunt”.

There are centuries-old prophecies, customs and rituals surrounding the Rauhnächte. The rough nights probably go back to the Germanic lunar calendar, which includes twelve lunar months and 354 days per year.

The eleven days - or twelve nights - missing from today's solar calendar were considered days outside of time. 

Every Christmas people came together, celebrated and told each other stories. Also stories of scary encounters in the dark.” It was believed that many ghosts were out and about during the rough nights.

Percht, as the goddess of rough nights, was given special meaning. According to popular belief, it is intended to ensure that people do not work, but rather relax and rest. During rough nights, special rules for order and prudence apply.

The rough nights are celebrated in many places in Lower Bavaria. With spectacular performances.

The Landshut wedding is known far beyond the borders. The spectacle is a festival lasting several weeks that is performed every 4 years in the summer in the city of Landshut.

The wedding took place on November 14th and 15th, 1475 in Landshut. It is reported that ten thousand guests attended the event, drinking, dancing and enjoying the jousting tournament.

The wedding was first reenacted in 1903. Around 2,300 participants in historical costumes from a wide range of classes now take part. Great value is placed on historical authenticity.

According to tradition, in 1517, after the plague, the Schäfflers paraded through the streets of Munich to cheer up the population, who were frightened by death and illness, with their dance. 

However, the first written mention of the Schäffler dance only dates back to 1702. Since then, the dance has also found its way into the rest of Bavaria.

This tradition is also maintained in Bad Griesbach. The people of Griesbach have been performing the Schäfflertanz for almost 100 years.

The Schäffler dance is only performed every 7 years.

Since the plague supposedly returned every 7 years, the lucky number 7 and an order from Duke Wilhelm IV were part of it, there were probably many other customs that had to be celebrated on time.

What is a Schäffler?

Schäffler are barrel makers. Originally, only unmarried Schäfflers with an impeccable reputation were allowed to dance the Schäffler dance.

The Gäubodenfest was brought into being in 1812 by a decree of King Maximilian I Joseph. Today it is one of the largest folk festivals in Bavaria. In addition to the Gäubodenfest, the Ostbayernschau has been running since the middle of the 20th century. The Ostbayernschau is one of the most important and successful consumer exhibitions in Bavaria.

What is the Gäuboden?

The Gäuboden is a roughly defined area of loess-covered lowlands that lies between Regensburg and Vilshofen. The area is very fertile and is used intensively for agriculture. This area has probably been inhabited for 6,000 years.

The Mühlhiasl is probably the most famous figure from Bavaria's legends. His predictions of the end of the world have been passed from one person to another since the 18th century, quickly leaving the borders of his homeland behind. 

There is a lot of debate about whether he actually existed, what his name was and whether there were perhaps several people in the end who were grouped together under the name Mühlhiasl.

Much more interesting, however, is what he is said to have prophesied. Of course, these traditions always vary somewhat regionally. The Mühlhiasl prophesied four major events. The First World War, the Second World War, the Third World War and finally the end of the world (bank clearer/world clearer).

The Mühlhiasl not only explains the processes and effects, but also explains the signs when the event occurs. Mühlhiasl must have often said that you don't believe it anyway and that he himself doesn't know whether his visions show the future.

Michael Heigl, born on May 12, 1817 in Ramsried, was the 10th child of a family of day laborers. He was noticed early on because he stole coins from a sacrificial box. In 1843 he was arrested as a traveling salesman without a business license and fled from a Straubing courtroom into the Bavarian Forest. There he began his raids and even reached Landshut.

His companion, the red Therese, later joined him. They often hid in the Robber Heigl Cave on the Kaitersberg. Heigl enjoyed great sympathy among the poorer population. He robbed mainly rich farmers and clergy.

Heigl was betrayed in 1853 and sentenced to death by beheading in 1854. With a pardon from King Max II, the death penalty was converted into lifelong imprisonment in chains.

Because of good behavior and exemplary behavior, he was transferred to Munich. Where he was killed by a fellow prisoner in 1857. The story of the robber Heigl became the subject of stories, novels and theater performances.