Carnival in Bad Ischl

For generations, the Båder-Jågerl and his Gertraude have served the Ischl carnival association as the prince and princess of the Ischl carnival. Kept in the Bad Ischl town museum throughout the year, the two dolls are taken out of their quarters on Shrove Saturday and, sitting in a carriage, lead the carnival processions before returning to the museum on Ash Wednesday. The Båder (=doctor) Jågerl (dialect for Jakob) is a grotesque figure dressed as a soldier from around the middle of the 18th century, with a tricorn hat and powdered plait. A proclamation from 1872 reports that he or his head was carved by a sculptor in Passau in 1742.

The official carnival opening takes place in Bad Ischl on the weekend after 11 November. The start of the fifth season is celebrated by the Bad Ischl carnival association in the presence of numerous guests and carnival clubs from other towns.