The St. Nicolaus

 

 

The day of St. Nicolaus is celebrated in Bregaglia as well as in the whole canton. On the evening of December 6, Samichlaus, Schmutzli and their donkey come down from the mountain to the village and bring the children coal, if they have not been good or candy if they have been diligent during the year. To make sure that the St. Nicholas does not make a wrong turn, the children form a procession of lanterns. Another custom is to leave an empty socks on the windowsill at night that St. Nicolaus can fill with candy.