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{{one source|date=October 2020}}
[[File:Pavla vas, Sevnica - klopotec.jpg|thumb|Klopotec in [[Pavla Vas]], [[Lower Carniola]] (Slovenia)]]
A '''klopotec''' (pronounced {{IPA|sl|klɔˈpɔːtəts|}}) is a wooden mechanical device on a high wooden pole, similar to a [[windmill]]. It is used as a [[bird scarer]] in the [[vineyard]]s of traditional wine-growing landscapes of [[Slovenia]], [[Austria]], and [[Croatia]]. It is one of the symbols of Slovenia and [[Styria]]. 

The windmill in the [[Slovene Hills]] typically has four blades, and in [[Haloze]] six blades,{{cn|date=November 2022}} driving an axis with a [[sail]] or vane that is constructed to swivel so it is always positioned perpendicular to the wind. As the axis rotates, wooden [[hammer]]s are lifted off their resting position by fixed notches. As they fall back, they rhythmically impact on a [[Sounding board|wooden board]]. While the quality of the sound is dependent on the wood of which the hammers and sounding boards are made, the rattle frequency depends on the number of hammers, as well as changes in wind speed.

The device is used primarily to scare [[starling]]s and other birds off the vineyards so that they do not peck grapes. A [[folklore|folk belief]] also states that klopotecs drive [[snake]]s from the vineyards and soften grapes. In [[Catholic]] [[folk music]] of its region of origin, it is sometimes combined with an [[organ stop]] and used as a rural church instrument (e.g. in [[Gleisdorf]] parish church).

== Name ==
The device has many names. In [[Slovene language|Slovene]] and [[Kajkavian|Kajkavian Croatian]] it is called ''klopotec'' and in some dialects ''klapoc''. Both words derive from ''klopotati'', that is to produce cut off, rhythmic sounds. In [[German language|German]] it is called ''Windradl''; ever increasing is the use of the word ''Klapotetz'' and also ''Klapotez''. In English it could be described as a ''bird-scaring rattle'', a ''wind-rattle'' or a ''wind-clapper''.

== History ==
Although a local historian from [[Maribor]] claims that the device appeared in [[Haloze]] and in [[Zagorje]] already in the 16th century, nothing particular is known about its origin. An educated guess has been made that it developed during the period of the [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]]. According to the most plausible theory held by the majority of [[ethnologists]], including the German ethnologist [[Leopold Kretzenbacher]], the bird-scaring rattle is of Slovene origin. Another theory claims that it was first used in the 18th century in the fields by the French. 

The first written mentions of klopotec date to the second half of the 18th century, whereas its oldest depictions date to the first half of the 19th century. The device is also mentioned in the oldest Slovene social poem, ''Lamentation of a Winedresser'', written in 1797 by [[Leopold Volkmer]]. [[Archduke Johann of Austria]] (1782–1859), the youngest brother of the last [[Holy Roman Empire|Holy Roman Emperor]] [[Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor|Francis II]], had it in his vineyard in 1836.

Still earlier than this, however, is the mention of the Klappermühle in German writings from at least the 16th century, which could signify either a true mill{{clarify|date=July 2019}} intentionally designed to scare birds away especially from fruit trees, or a smaller windmill-like device similar to the klopotec.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.woerterbuchnetz.de/DWB?lemma=klappermuehle|title = klappermuehle| work = Wörterbuchnetz}}</ref>

== Construction ==
{{multiple image
 | align = right
 | footer = World's largest klopotec
 | footer_align = center
 | image1 = Schlossberg Styria - Klopotec.JPG
 | width1 = 200
 | caption1 = [[Schloßberg (Leibnitz)|Schloßberg]] ''Klapotetz'' (19 m, 25 tons)
 | image2 = Portal Lebewesen Treffen 2008 8.JPG
 | width2 = 191
 | caption2 = [[Demmerkogel]] ''Klapotetz'' (16 m, 6 tons)
}}
A klopotec consists of different parts, each of which should (ideally) be made of a specific type of wood to produce a fine and melodic sound. The wood of hammers and of the board is especially important, as only the right combination enables that the device produces the [[ultrasound]] that scares the birds away. The parts are:
* ''stolček'' (block) - holds the [[axle]]; made from a [[hardwood]] (e.g. [[chestnut]], [[oak]] or [[Ash tree|ash]]).
* ''kvaka'' (axle) - holes are drilled into it and hammers or ''macleki'' are attached onto it.
* ''macleki'' ([[hammer]]s) - should be set up in such a way that only one of them strikes at a time. The best wood is [[Beech tree|beechwood]], but some other types of wood can be used.
* ''deska'' (board) - macleki strike against it; made from [[chestnut]] or [[cherry]].
* ''viličice'' (pl.;little [[fork]]s) - hold macleki; made from oak or [[beech]].
* ''verižica'' (chainlet) - the board is hanged on it.
* ''rep'' (tail) - enables the rattle to turn with the wind; made from the sprigs of the oak, [[pine]] or other tree, as by these species the leaves remain attached for the longest time. Also an old broom can be used as a tail.
* ''vetrnica'' (sail) - rotates in the wind and transfers the rotation onto the axle; made from [[Populus|poplar]] or [[fir]] wood. The sail from the Slovene Hills has four blades, while the one from Haloze has six blades and the one from the Austrian Styria has eight blades.
* ''zavora'' (brake) - part of especially large rattles; prevents them from stopping in a forceful wind.

The largest construction of this type in a natural setting stands in the [[Sausal]] mountain range, near the summit of the [[Demmerkogel]]. It is 16 meters high, and its moving parts mass 3.4 metric tons. Each of the eight hammers weighs 40 kilograms.

== Tradition ==
The klopotec is most frequently heard in the transnational region from Southwest [[Styria]] (e.g., the [[Sausal]] mountain range and the {{ill|Steirische Weinstraßen|lt=Weinstraße|de}}) to Eastern Slovenia: the [[Slovene Hills]], [[Haloze]] and [[Prlekija]] (of which it is a symbol), less frequently in [[Lower Carniola]] and [[White Carniola]]. It is also found in Southwestern Slovenia, in the [[Slovenian Littoral|Littoral Region]] and in Croatia's [[Hrvatsko Zagorje|Zagorje]], [[Međimurje (region)|Međimurje]] and [[Podravina]] regions. These areas traditionally produce white wines.

Traditionally such rattles have been set up on 25 July ([[Feast of Saint James]])<ref>{{cite web |title=Klopotec |url=https://www.miranjelen.si/english.html |website=miranjelen.si}}</ref> or on 15 August ([[Assumption Day]]), but also on any day in between. They have usually been taken down after the vintage till 1 November ([[All Saints Day]]), but no later than on 11 November (Feast of [[Martin of Tours|Saint Martin]]). If a husbandman forgets to take it down, the youth from the village can steal it and leave a message about the ransom that he must pay to get it back. 

Some of these bird-rattle devices are ornamented with small carved [[figurine]]s. The traditional types which are made solely from wood are becoming more and more rare, as they are getting replaced by devices with metal elements.

==Motif==
* The [[Post of Slovenia]] issued a stamp worth 13 [[Slovenian tolar]]s in 1997 featuring klopotec. The stamp was a part of the collection ''Slovenija - Evropa v malem'' ("Slovenia - Europe in Miniature").
* One of the meetings of Slovenian [[folk music]]ians that happens annually is called ''Veseli klopotec'' ("Happy Klopotec").
* The [[Slovenian Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers for the Protection of Copyright]] (SAZAS) yearly confers the ''Zlati klopotec'' ("Golden Klopotec") award to the author of the best popular song in a [[Slovene dialects|Slovene dialect]] for that year.

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.posta.si/Namizje.aspx?tabid=392&artikelid=6370 A web page of the Post of Slovenia] - general information about the stamp and a description of the device in English.
* http://www.stampsoftheworld.co.uk/wiki/Austria_1990_Scenic_Beauties_in_Austria for a 1990 stamp of Austria.
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnIZJis0NqM Klopotec Slovenska kulturna dediščina] [Slovenian cultural heritage: Klopotec] - video of klopotecs in operation.

{{Viticulture}}

[[Category:Austrian folklore]]
[[Category:Austrian wine]]
[[Category:Bird pest control]]
[[Category:Croatian folklore]]
[[Category:Cultural heritage of Slovenia]]
[[Category:Slovenian folklore]]
[[Category:Styria]]
[[Category:Viticulture]]