Hello lovelies, 

another medieval festival is over and it was icy and rainy. I remember 2023 was so hot and we were a puddle of sweat and this time we were ice-blocks. 

This year was a bit different because we snatched one of the rare rooms in a hotel for the weekend. At first we just wanted to stay from Saturday to Sunday but the hotel informed us that due to the medieval festival, rooms are only rented out from Friday to Sunday. A cash grab in my eyes but sure. And it was not cheap either for what we got, it was about 400€ for two nights including breakfast. Which, for that location was pretty steep. 

But nevertheless, we arrived on Friday, had a quick dinner at the restaurant and then watched schlefaz in the room. The pumpkin soup with the toasted bread was really delicious, my garlic spaghetti were not. It was so bland and I did not taste any garlic. That was such a shame because I love garlic. 

While watching one of the worse Schlefaz I sewed on the rhinestones to the dress. 

Saturday

We woke up around 8:15 and got ready. Here is my outfit I wore for that day. It's an older one I made and wore back in 2019 (see here)

 After a breakfast, only tea for me, we managed to be on time for the parade an 10am. 

The admission in 2025 was €10 for one day or €15 for both days, making it one of the more affordable festivals in Austria. 

Compared to other locations like Český Krumlov, both the town and the festival in Eggenburg are much smaller and thus the parade was probably only 1/8th of what the Krumlov parade was, but it was fun nevertheless. 

 

 

 

 

It's not even an 1/8th of what the Krumlov parade was but it was fun nevertheless. The women from the Lace club recognized me and wanted us to join them but we declined. My favourite were the Italian flag-throwing group Sbandieratori di Arezzo. They performed a short set to close the parade, but later in the day they also give a full show. Founded in 1960, they’ve become cultural ambassadors of their region, performing everywhere from Seoul and New York to Versailles and even the Vatican. Their acrobatics, synchronized flag swings, and the sound of drums and trumpets create an unforgettable atmosphere. Plus, their good looks and costumes had many heads turning.

Because of this, the streets and market areas can get very crowded during peak hours. In 2025 it wasn’t too bad, since the weather was less favourable, but on a sunny day, you can expect the festival to be packed. 

We went up to the church, took some pictures and then had cake in the gardens of the parish. The prices for water and cake was affordable, and we did not have to pay the usual 7€ deposit for the mugs. 

Then we wandered down and had a look around at the boots. We also found my favourite artists Orniello and Wellenkind, who were located near the other church and general area of other artists.  

 

 

You could buy everything your medieval heart desires from from jewelry and hats to pottery, felted bags and hats, gemstones, fabric, ocarina, bird whistles, baskets, incense, jams, syrup, mead, leather items, clothing, ropes, soap, books, bags, and blacksmith wares. 

 

 

 

We ate lunch, I had medieval potato latkes, just kidding...of course there were no potatoes during that time, and meat in a bun with mustard and sauerkraut. My partner got Flammkuchen without cream and it was just a tortilla with vegetables for 10€? Absolutely not worth it. 

Afterwards he got Baumkuchen, which at least has a history dating back to the late Middle Ages. The earliest known recipes appear in an Italian cookbook from 1426, and one of the first German-language recipes can be found in Marx Rumpolt’s 1581 cookbook, where it is referred to as Spießkuchen/Spit cake.

The weather was not great and we decided to head back to the hotel around 2pm, we napped for an hour and then I changed into a casual wear and we were off to the festival again. 

We watched another show of the Sbandieratori di Arezzo. Too bad we got a bad spot and didn't really say much apart from their heads and the flags that were thrown into the air. Plus, children were running around and some grabbed my hip and pushed me to get infront of me. I was so livid with them and their parents but latter where no where to be found. 

 

I drank a grape juice which was amazing, and we rested at a bench and watched the people. 

 

We also found some of Hias' friends and talked to them and then later met up at another location where I had a bread with raclette. There was no price and I naively thought it would not be that expensive because it's just bread with cheese but I was wrong and paid 8,5€ for this. Eight euros and fifty cents. Absolutely not worth it.

 

We went back to the hotel at 6pm and stayed there. We were too tired to do anything else and went to bed. 

Sunday

It had rained and stormed during the night and everything was still wet.  I was glad I didn't bring the white dresses I intended to wear as I would have had dirt on my seams up to my knee. Instead I brought the blue dress I made and wore the year before (remember?). This time I wore it with a green woolen cape. 

 

We were a bit too late to watch the parade and instead set out to chat with the artists of Orniello and Wellenkind. I bought a ring from Orniello and Hias bought a new hat from Wellenkind.

I realized that I didn't film enough for a video so we basically run around and I made videos of the booths and the artists. During that time we also bought a new Cherry mead which was 30€. 

Today we also got two program points: the historical dances from Eulenspiel and the concert from Schandgesellen.  

Afterwards we went to the venetian camp and met friends who came with her friend group that had never been to a medieval festival. They were starstruck and excited and the energy was contagious.

 

We ate some cake at the parish again and it then began to rain. It was annoying but at least we were not stuck outside as the people working there invited us into the building. when it stopped raining we made a few pictures and then grabbed our stuff and went to the train station. 

We were home around 3pm and I was so happy to see my cats again. It was a long and expensive weekend, I was cold most of the time but it was fun. But, next time, we will not stay at the hotel.

 

 

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All the best, 

Auris Lothol

 

Hello lovelies, 

It all began with the forging of the rings...eh. Wrong story. It all began in 2024 at Austria ComicCon. Hias returned totally exhited after a quick chat around the hall  and said he'd had a long conversation with the Middle-earth exhibitors and asked if we'd like to go next year. The event takes place in August at the Reichenau Castle Ruins and is the largest Middle-earth event in Austria. I let myself be swept along by the wave of enthusiasm and we decided to buy a ticket when it went on sale. The three-day ticket wasn't cheap at €158, but we treated ourselves to it anyway. It was a good decision because the event sold out shortly afterward.

We had to wait ages for the announcement of the classes but then in later June the registration was open. We snagged the last places for the lotr ttrpg and then I also booked classes for hand spinning and costume design while Hias took grass basket weaving and book binding. Together we decided to do archery on Sunday and "the one ring" TTRP on Friday together. Apart from the workshops, we also had to book a hotel for 180€ for the two of us because I hate camping. You could either camp at the festival in a modern or a historical tent but you could not sleep in the castle. It was also a very good choice not to camp there because one week before the event we checked the weather forecast and it woul be cold. Very cold at about 8-17°c daily. Imagine camping at 8°c? I could not. 

So, back to December when we planned our outfits for the festival. We made a little challenge for ourselves: sew the hobbit costumes only from fabric we already had in our stash. And it worked out pretty well, I sewed a skirt, and apron in January but then...the top was left unfinished. Months passed by and it was not until July that I started sewing the top again but went into another direction with it. I had also planned 2 elf outfits but in the end only managed to do one. In two days. Because I'm lazy. The consequence of my action was that I finished both the hobbit and the elf costume at 5.30 am, the day we were supposed to leave...at 7am. So I got about 15mins of sleep. Not my proudest moment.

We left Vienna at 7 a.m. and arrived in Reichenau on time at 9:30 a.m. We changed our clothes, and it was time for the festival. The ruins were within walking distance from the parking lot, and I quickly took a picture in front of the sign before we went to the class. It was now time for me to spin. I was a bit confused the first meter and didn't know that you were supposed to pull the material from the top, but then I figured it out and spun meter by meter. That went pretty well. Then I switched to the spinning wheel, and it was a disaster. I seem to like spinning thin threads, and they kept snapping on the spinning wheel. Wow :(. But here is my finished  yarn.

I was so cold and for lunch Hias and I decided to get back to the car. It was the only warm place on the festival and we were once again grateful for not camping. We ate our food and then made some pictures. 

Afterwards, it was back to the event and it was time for the lotr ttrpg. The play was...something. The DM was obviously seasoned and had a good story planned but somehow we and especially the problem player, derailed the whole thing. We almost killed a guy we should not have killed at all, went into a secret grave and two players had to turn on the rest of the three (instead of just one) and all in all it was a bit weird. Plus, I did not like the play system. You played with a D12 as standard and HAD to get over 14, with a 12 as the only critical roll and automatic success. Sometimes we were able to add 1D6 up to 3D6 to get over 14. But as expected, we failed so many rolls.

We drove back to the hotel and we were starving! But the hotel restaurant had a pizza day and we could choose our own toppings. It was so good! Too bad I didn't take pictures.

My outfit on Friday was Lottie Sufferfrost, a hobbit from the shire. She is a ditzy young hobbit (about 25 years old) who likes to drink mead and eat cheese.

I made the outfit myself except for the blouse and the pocket. I got the pocket at the Renaissance faire in Krumlov and the blouse is a vintage Dirndl blouse. My favourite detail are the hair on my feet. 

The next day began early with a breakfast and then off to the castle and our workshops. I attended a design class and hias was at a basket weaving class. Both were all day classes. In the morning we talked about the design and studied books and after lunch, which consisted of a tiny portion of beef ragout with gnocchi, we drew and coloured the design. The reason I visited the class is because I am not good at designing. Years of cosplay ruined this creativity and all I know is how to recreate. So when I made the design and after the feedback that the skirt looks like Tinkerbell, I did not want to continue :(. I wanted to go for a "Galadriel's all female ceremonial and representational guard in Valinor" but...nah. It didn't. 

 

 

Hias wove a grass basket and when I visited him the grass was instantly in my nose and my whole imune system was in panic. Great. Thank you allergies.  

 

And here is my outfit for the elf I named Airël, Lady in waiting to Lady Arwen. I made the costume in 2014 and wore it for my first Middle-earth festival. (See more here)

We wanted to wait for the concert in the evening but it was SO DAMN COLD that I just couldn't wait. I was cold and frustrated and in a bad mood. Therefore we left the festival and went to the hotel restaurant again. Instead of Pizza day, this time, they had burger day! Hooray! The best. So, after a burger and a Kaiserschmarrn, we went to the room and watched Wonder woman while embroidering our costumes. 

Sunday, the last day, had already arrived, and after checking out and having breakfast, or just a glass of tea for me, we drove to the castle for the last time. The weather was still cool, but not as cold as yesterday. We shot a few arrows, and then it was time for lunch. We had brought our own lunch because I was not satisfied with the amount of food. But I still got a piece of cake for dessert. It was still chilly after lunch, though, so we decided to leave earlier.

And that was the middle-earth festival.

If you enjoy this blog and want to support it, consider leaving a small donation via PayPal. Every bit helps keep things running and lets me keep creating more content just for you. You can donate by clicking the link below:

Thank you so much! 

All the best, 

Auris Lothol