Germana
Germana was born on March 2, 1930, and passed away on October 9, 2020. She had one sibling, married a farmer from the Großes Walsertal valley, and was the mother of eight children, one of whom sadly passed away. Germana loved to cook and entertain guests.
Grandma/Ahle
In the Bregenzerwald, Schoppernau in Vorarlberg, Austria, the grandmother is often affectionately referred to as “Ähle.” This term is an expression of closeness and respect for the older generation, which is deeply rooted in the Bregenzerwald. “Ähle” symbolizes not only the grandmother’s role as the head of the family and the heart of the home, but also her significance as a guardian of traditions, stories, and culinary heritage.
Kitchen
Traditional dishes play a central role in the Bregenzerwald region, characterized by regional ingredients and seasonal availability. Typical ingredients such as milk and dairy products, grains, potatoes, meat, vegetables, and herbs form the basis of the cuisine. Popular dishes include Käsknöpfle (cheese dumplings), Grumpira (a potato and meat dish) with cheese or bacon, Riebel (a type of polenta), various soups, and Schupfnudeln (potato dumplings). Smoked meats and sausages were important provisions, especially in winter. Communal cooking and eating were widespread, and the cuisine was strongly influenced by what the seasons offered, with a particular focus on self-sufficiency and food preservation. These culinary traditions reflect the rich culture and close connection to nature and agriculture in the Bregenzerwald.
Police station
Grandma Germana’s house in Schoppernau served various purposes throughout its history, including as a police station around the 1890s. During that time, it was a place where safety and order in the community were maintained. Today, this historical use reflects the house’s versatile past and the changes it has undergone over time.
Municipal Office
For several years, Grandma Germana’s house was used as the town hall, as Grandma Germana’s grandfather served as the mayor of Schoppernau for 17 years.
So there has always been lively activity and a constant coming and going in the Germana house.
War
Grandma Germana's house in Schoppernau served as a refuge for Moroccan soldiers during the war. Morocco was a French colony at the time. During this period, it offered protection and security to the soldiers who found shelter there. Today, this historical use serves as a reminder of the house's significance as a place of refuge and humanity in difficult times.
Ähle’s grandfather – the history
Joseph Anton Willi, Hanspeter’s great-grandfather, was a respected “Winkelschreiber,” similar to a notary today. He drafted contracts and assisted with inheritance matters. He was also a member of the regional parliament for four years and then served as mayor for 25 years. His son Peter Willi, born in 1894, continued his father’s role and was also mayor of Schoppernau for 17 years. Sadly, his wife Germana, Hanspeter’s grandmother, passed away while giving birth to his mother Germana. Germana’s brother, Josef Willi, lived in Innsbruck, and one of his sons, Georg Willi, became mayor of Innsbruck.
In 1959, Grandma Germana began renting out guest rooms for the first time, even though there were no flush toilets at the time. Her husband Hermann Nigsch, a full-time farmer originally from the Großes Walsertal, supported her in this. The income from that period enabled their seven children to attend higher-level schools and helped them develop personally.
Book
Our grandma wrote a book in her old age about the love of her life and the challenges people had to overcome in the past. It tells of the hardships and deprivations of earlier times, as well as the personal stories and experiences that shaped life.