Andreas Hofer Commemoration in Ehrenburg

A commemoration rooted in Tyrolean history

The Andreas Hofer Commemoration in Ehrenburg is the annual memorial ceremony where the community of Casteldarne (Ehrenburg), a village in the municipality of Chienes/Kiens in the Puster Valley, honors Andreas Hofer. An innkeeper and leader from the Passeier Valley, he became the symbol of the Tyrolean resistance against Napoleonic and Bavarian troops in 1809. Hofer was executed in Mantua on February 20, 1810, and ceremonies in his honor are held throughout South Tyrol around this date. The Casteldarne celebration, in the province of Bolzano, traditionally takes place in the second half of February.

Organizers

The event is hosted by the Schützenkompanie Ehrenburg, the local Schützen company, which carries on the legacy of the ancient Tyrolean territorial militias. True to their motto «Der Freiheit entgegen» (Towards freedom), the company preserves the region's historical memory throughout the year, including publications on local toponymy and the fallen of the First World War from the villages of Chienes.

The Ceremony

The heart of the day is the solemn Holy Mass celebrated in the parish church of Casteldarne. The musical program is provided by a brass ensemble from the Musikkapelle Kiens and the Ehrenburg male choir, who accompany the liturgy and commemorative moments. At the end of the service, the Schützen proceed with:

• the laying of a wreath at the war memorial;
• the honor salute in memory of the fallen;
• commemorative speeches by authorities and the company's commander (Hauptmann).

On the same day, a delegation of Schützen also pays tribute to the war memorial in San Sigismondo (St. Sigmund) by laying a wreath, while the war memorial in Chienes is adorned with flowers.

Faith, Homeland, and Identity

Beyond historical remembrance, the Andreas Hofer Commemoration is a moment for the German-speaking South Tyrolean community to reflect on the values associated with Hofer: faith, homeland, and freedom. Speeches delivered over the years by local political and institutional representatives often highlight South Tyrolean autonomy as a safeguard for the linguistic minority. For visitors, it is an opportunity to experience a living tradition of the Puster Valley and Trentino-Alto Adige, where the cult of Tyrolean memory remains a strong identity trait.

The Setting: Casteldarne and Ehrenburg Castle

The village takes its German name, Ehrenburg, from the castle of the same name that overlooks the town, once the residence of the von Künigl family. At the foot of the hill stands the Baroque parish church dedicated to the Assumption of Mary, the site of the celebration. Nestled in the Puster Valley landscape in the province of Bolzano, the village offers visitors a fascinating historical and natural setting.