Garching Maypole

The Bavarian maypole is an age old tradition going back for centuries, originally erected as a symbol for all that grows and bears fruit but now is  a symbol of wealth and pride for the community that sets it up.

The tradition dates back to the 13th century and ever since each community tried to outdo the others by erecting the tallest and straightest maypole. The associations that make them scout for the best trees weeks in advance, fell them and hide it away. The pole is then decorated with Bavarian colors and little signs on each side that denote what the community is proud of. This can be monuments, certain shops and even things like a recent metro station. 

The poles get erected on the first of May during a large spring festival where the pole gets hoisted up by hand to proclaim the greatness of the location. However neighboring communities often try to steal their rivals’ pole, which is not illigal but also part of the tradition. Because if they manage, they can ransom the pole for technically anything they want, usually large quantities of beer and food.

The most amazing maypole theft ever was in 2004 in Zugspitze, where a daring Bavarian stole a 20m maypole with a helicopter, flying it to an Alpine hut where a ransom was set.