"Der Pennaeler Schnitzelbank" - Ellwangen's Carnival
Quite different you will find the Carnival of Ellwangen - also called "Der Pennaeler Schnitzelbank" or the "Schwarze Schar" - which appears scary and mysterious for over 150 years now.
Whip-swinging, carrying torches and wrapped up in black dominoes the black figures of the "Pennaeler Schnitzelbank" march through the town on the eve of Shrovetide Sunday.
The aim their sharp-tongued and biting verse at the town's VIPs. The whole spectacle goes off anonymously, due to the "Silentium" - a vow of silence - which is the prime principle of the Black Flock ("Schwarze Schar").