Smoking nights in Austria Dec 24, 2021

Smoking nights in Austria

Behold the lovely Tannenbaum ("fir tree" for you non-German speakers). Here in Tyrol, Austria, Christmas Eve marks the first of three Rauchnächte, or "smoking nights." A long-standing Tyrolean tradition, people in this Alpine region burn frankincense and herbs in homes, barns, and stables to avert bad fortune. The custom is then repeated on the other two "smoking nights," New Year"s Eve and the night before Epiphany.

© nagelestock/Alamy

palette

Today in History

Dec 24, 2018The birthplace of a classic Christmas carol
Dec 24, 2019Dashing through the snow
Dec 24, 2020Hey, don t you guys have somewhere to be?
Dec 24, 2022Christmas Eve
Dec 24, 2023Christmas Eve
Dec 24, 2024Silent night, sparkling lights, and hearts full of joy

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jun 23, 2025The Elbe in Dresden, Germany
Jul 23, 2025Vatican City with St. Peters Basilica
Aug 2, 2018The Aomori Nebuta Festival parade, Japan
Jan 14, 2018Sanday Island and the North Sea, Scotland
May 9, 2023A castle fit for a count
Mar 27, 2018Macro photograph of a migrant hawker dragonfly
Apr 12, 2020Who created the Easter Bunny?
Jun 14, 2020Celebrating Flag Day
Dec 20, 2023Val Gardena, South Tyrol, Dolomites, Italy
Jun 27, 2019The roots of invention
Jun 28, 2019Montreux, Switzerland, and all that jazz
Aug 5, 2021A swim in the sky
Jan 16, 2020In the valley of the doll
Jun 30, 2021An impactful day
Jun 26, 2019Get amped for Glastonbury
Dec 19, 2021Aurora borealis
Aug 22, 2018Summer’s in home stretch
Feb 1, 2024Black History Month
Jul 2, 2025Spine-cheeked anemonefish in Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea
Feb 10, 2020This park is Superkilen
Sep 1, 2025Labor Day parade in 1915 Chicago
Oct 15, 2023European hedgehog
Sep 8, 2021Enter the magical world of Livraria Lello
May 9, 2021Happy Mother s Day!
Jan 28, 2019Ancient groves in Australia
Jul 3, 2023The dog days of summer
Mar 6, 2020Hello, harbinger of spring
Mar 1, 2023Womens History Month
Jan 10, 2024Take the Stairs Day
Dec 27, 2020Turning darkness into light