About the Maypole Tradition

The History of the Maypole (Maibaum)

The set up of a Maypole is a unique Bavarian custom dating back to the 16th century. Up to 40 meters in height, the maypole is often decorated with pictures of the main buildings and crafts of the village.

An old tradition is to steal the maypole before it is setup; often stolen by the young men of another village. To prevent this, the maypole is guarded carefully. To get back a stolen maypole, a payment of a barrel of beer and a good meal (Brotzeit) was usually required.

Since the late Middle Ages you find the custom of setting up small maypoles or maybushes at the houses of girls by their lovers. Likewise, you could often find maypoles and dancing in front of various inns (Gasthäuser).