Page 22 - Guide_EN

On the right, next to the balcony you can see some of the adornments used to decorate the cows on their journey home from the higher pastu- res after the summer. If the summer months on the high alpine pastures had run smoothly without the death of a human or an animal, the homecoming to the farm was accom- panied by music, dancing and the herd of cows being ornately decorated to celebrate. The lead cow (often the one who had produced the most milk over the summer) was adorned with a larger more intricate headpiece or crown which was made from twigs, flowers, grasses and ribbons. It also often incor- porated a cross for heavenly protection, along with mirrors and bells to scare away evil spirits. 20