Bloch of Urnäsch

There is a bang, smoke is in the air and a cart with a large tree trunk, the Bloch, appears. It is pulled by men from Urnäsch in a round trip through the villages of Hundwil, Stein and Waldstatt. Every two years on the Monday before Ash Wednesday, the Bloch sets off on its journey.

At 2 a.m., the first Bloch members come together. At 4.30 a.m. the Bloch parade starts moving. The tree trunk is decorated with the Urnäsch emblem. At the very back, an upright fir tree is attached, with coloured rag cloths fluttering on it. A blacksmith sits astride the trunk and hammers away at an anvil. Thick smoke pours out of the furnace, which is also tied to the log. A carter with a long pointed cap sits on the front end of the log and cracks a whip. The bloch is pulled on a rope by men walking in pairs side by side with drawsticks. With their clothing and equipment, the pulling men represent professions that have something to do with wood. A bear and heralds on horseback entertain the spectators. The Kässelibuben collect small change for the next Blochumzug. After the round tour through the villages of Appenzell, the parade arrives back in Urnäsch at 5 pm. There the Blochspruch is read out and the Bloch is auctioned by the forester.

Route: Urnäsch - Hundwil - Stein - Waldstatt - Urnäsch