Some "Fasting", or "Hunger Cloths" of Carinthia

The "Fasting Cloth", also called the "Hunger Cloth" is used mostly in Catholic Churches in the Austrian Provinces of Carinthia (Kärnten) and Tirol, as well as in some parts of Germany.
It is a sometimes very large piece of textile material used between Ash-Wednesday and the Saturday before Easter (46 days). 
Originally monochrome, but later richly decorated, it is fastened in such a way as to hide the view of the Altar and Crucifixes. 
It was, and is meant to be a penalty imposed upon the "sinning congregation" by depriving them of the visual pleasure of the Altar and the Crucifix.
And everybody, so the irrational teaching of the church goes, is a "Sinner".

The "Hunger Cloth" in the Cathedral (Dom) of  Gurk,

for instance, measures about 9 x 8.8 meters

and dates back to 1458

The Fasting Cloth, created by Master Konrad von Friesach

with details of some squares below.

A similar installation In Millstatt am Millstättersee

deprives the faithful 

of the view of the Altar, but also gives them 

many interesting and colourful pictures

to view.