Customs in the holiday region Bolzano and environs
Events throughout the year
Customs and traditions shape the country and the people of South Tyrol. South Tyroleans like to wear a national costume. A special costume is the Sarentino costume, the “Bavarian dress” or the “Bavarian”, as the Sarentino costume is called at home. The costume for women is colourful and very detailed with hand-embroidered bodice and the “Seidenfürtig” side apron. The “Tiechl” (kerchief) is the most noticeable individual decoration and is colour coded to match the colour of the apron. The women wear rather plain boots - unlike the men who wear quill-embroidered shoes. The men wear a pair of milled leather trousers with an elaborately quill-embroidered “Fatsche” (belt) and equally elaborately decorated “Kraxen” (braces). The black hat is decorated with a red or green bow: red, if he is still single, green, if he is married.
Experience a journey through culture, customs and traditions.
Events throughout the year:
Egetmann parade in Termeno
On Shrove Tuesday, one of the final two days of the Carnival season, in uneven years only, Hansl Egetmann is getting married in Termeno ! The Egetmann parade in Termeno is one of the oldest, most curious and most lively carnival traditions that still exists in Tyrol to drive out winter.
Since the 18 century there has been a San Macro market in Ora on 25 April, the Saint’s day of St Mark. The largest and oldest fair in South Tyrol was once a livestock market. Today some 200 stalls offer a broad range of goods.
The Hapsburg Emperor Maximilian I granted Tyroleans the right not to participate in wars outside their national borders. In return, they were responsible for the defence of Tyrol. When Napoleon and his troops approached Tyrol in 1796, the aristocracy, the clergy, farmers and citizens discussed the necessary actions. In addition, they promised to dedicate the land to “the most sacred of hearts, Jesus” and to renew this promise every year.
For this reason, mountain fires are still lit on the first Sunday after Corpus Christi.
In the beginning of summer, on 29th July on St. Peter and St. Paul, to be precise, wealthy inhabitants of Bolzano used to escape the heat of the city and spent the summer in the higher regions of Renon. This summer holiday traditionally lasted 72 days. Renon is therefore considered to be the origin of the concept of summer holidays.
With the end of summer on the Alpe the time for herds and sheep on the Alpine pastures also draws to a close. The drive down from the pastures was and remains an important day in the farming calendar. On Renon this event takes place on “Barthlmastag”, on St. Bartholomew Day on 24 August.
Sarnar Kirchte, Val Sarentino
The biggest festival of the year in Val Sarentino takes place on the first Sunday in September: Just like over 450 years ago, the Sarentino fête is celebrated on the first Saturday, Sunday and Monday in September. All of Val Sarentino gathers to celebrate solemn Mass followed by a colourful procession. On Monday the traditional “Sarnar Kirchte-Morkt”, Sarentino market, takes place: At this largest livestock market in South Tyrol there is much assessing and haggling. Contracts are still sealed with a handshake. All around Sarentino this weekend offers plenty of opportunity to get to know the ancient traditions of this unspoilt valley and its regional cuisine.
Törggelen is an ancient South Tyrolean custom. At the end of the grape harvest the new wine as well as Suser (grape must before fermentation) were tasted and enjoyed together with rustic dishes.
Today Törggelen is still a highlight in the social calendar of South Tyrol. People meet on farms and in rustic bars and restaurants to enjoy good honest tasty dishes, roast chestnuts and the new wine and Suser.
Martini market, Cornaiano | Appiano
According to the old farming calendar, the farmers receive the last part of the payment for the previous year’s harvest on “Martini” on 11 November. A good reason to celebrate and to invest. In Cornaiano St. Martin is also the patron Saint of the church.
On “Cornaiano Kirchtag” there is still a big market with agricultural machines, domestic goods and more. In recent years clothes, shoes, sweets and more have also been available to buy.
“Klöckeln” is an ancient Advent tradition that original existed throughout the Alpine region and that has taken place in Val Sarentino since the 16th century. The word “Klöckeln” comes from “klocken”, meaning “knocking”. Thursday evenings during Advent before the winter solstice are klöckel nights. Masked men go from house to house and beg for gifts. A special role is played by the “Zussler”, two men in fancy dressed as a married couple. The origins of this custom are not clear.