Valley holiday - Needum in the tirolean Tannheimer Tal

The year was 1796: over the course of the year, the French army was able to inflict one defeat after another on the Austrian Emperor Franz and his soldiers.

On the tenth of August, the French took Bregenz. Parts of the French army then moved to Immenstadt, pushed on to Sonthofen and advanced as far as Hindelang. They finally reached the foot of the Joch Pass on August 28.

In the meantime, the population of the Tannheim valley had been alerted. The people were well aware of the danger threatening them and their valley. Three rifle companies, commanded by Captains Ferdinand Tauscher, Alois Tauscher and Lorenz Peintner, quickly gathered on the Jochberg to fend off the overpowering enemy, which was known to want to penetrate our valley, and at best to put them to flight.

On September 13, the French attacked. The advancing enemy was discovered in good time and the general attack could be launched. A fierce battle broke out immediately, with the Tannheimer Taler riflemen having the advantage because they could fire and fight from above. At the same time, the Austrian army attacked the French.

By joining forces and with the support of the Austrian soldiers, the Tannheimer Taler population managed to defeat the French and thus prevent the Tannheimer Tal and its inhabitants from falling under French rule.

In gratitude for averting this danger, September 17 has been celebrated every year since then as a valley holiday with a solemn church service followed by a procession. This custom has survived to this day.