Blacksmiths in Ybbsitz

Ybbsitz and actually the whole region around my hometown has a long tradition of blacksmith craftsmanship. The interest in this old tradition has never been more than right now, and so a lot of the old blacksmith shops have been restored and interested guests can take a variety of courses in this old craft - from basic courses where you learn the essential techniques of iron work to more elaborate courses in making tools, knifes, blades or even damascene steel and blades.

Bernhard and I have done the basic and advanced courses over multiple weekends and actually we would love to forge our own damascene knife one day. For those who don't know, we even had our wedding reception in an old blacksmith shop.



So this is me in my all-white wedding dress working on a bird's feather with Sepp Eybl.


One of the highlights every year is the Christmas market in Ybbsitz, where blacksmiths from all over Europe come together to create one piece of art, with each blacksmith contributing to the final artwork. Although the Christmas market is of course a market where you can buy locally crafted presents for Christmas, it is also fun just to watch the blacksmiths.