Christian customs laid the foundations for Easter traditions in Tirol. One of the Easter customs in Tirol, for example, is making what are known as “palm bushes”. Palm bushes are made from boxwood and willow catkins on Palm Sunday are reminiscent of the palm branches with which Jesus was greeted on his entry into Jerusalem. Palm bushes and elaborately decorated palm laths are carried through the village or town in Palm Sunday processions and blessed in the church. Sometimes the longest palm lath is also traditionally honoured. Wooden "ratchets" are used to make noise instead of bells to announce masses on silent Good Friday. Processions of the cross on Good Friday commemorate the Passion of Jesus. In some cases, believers stop at various stations in the village or town to say prayers. Passion plays are also part of the Easter tradition in Tirol. As theatre performances, they tell the story of the Passion of Jesus Christ, which is commemorated during Holy Week. The most famous Passion Play takes place in Erl every six years. The tradition of Easter markets dates back to the Middle Ages. Regional and seasonal foods and handicraft products were sold here at important festive times.
