Augustinian Dinner

A dinner in the Augustinian convent cloister

The Augustinian Dinner is one of the most cherished events in the calendar of San Michele all'Adige, a town in the Piana Rotaliana in the province of Trento, in the heart of Trentino-Alto Adige. It is held every year on September 29th, the feast day of Saint Michael the Archangel, and serves as the social highlight that concludes the town's Patronal Feast.

The setting is truly enchanting: the cloister of the ancient Augustinian convent, which now houses the San Michele Trentino Ethnographic Museum (METS) on Via Edmund Mach. Within the stone walls and colonnades of the complex, over two hundred guests gather around long tables for an evening that weaves together gastronomy, tradition, and a sense of community.

The traditional Trentino menu

The heart of the evening is the typical Trentino menu, prepared by the Pro Loco volunteers. The culinary journey begins with a welcome glass of Trento DOC sparkling wine and continues with the great classics of mountain cuisine:

• Orzetto alla trentina (barley soup), the signature dish of the dinner, served steaming hot;
• Carne tonnata (veal with tuna sauce) with boiled potatoes, sardines, and local cheeses;
• Strudel and seasonal fruit to finish.

Water and wine are included, and a gluten-free alternative is available. The evening is accompanied by live music: recent editions have featured performers such as the Berardo-Tomaino duo, the Liuim Trio, and the Trio Violin Violets, providing delicate, classical sounds.

The Patronal Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel

The Augustinian Dinner is the grand finale of a rich program of initiatives that bring the town of San Michele all'Adige to life around the patron saint's feast day. The celebrations, which include religious, cultural, and community moments, involve numerous local associations and see the participation of local institutions. The event is coordinated by the Pro Loco of San Michele all'Adige, in collaboration with the Pro Loco and associations of the neighboring towns in the Piana Rotaliana Königsberg area.

A community event

More than just a dinner, the event is a meeting point for the entire Rotaliana community. The bond with the Augustinian convent and its centuries-old history—now preserved by the Ethnographic Museum—gives the evening an identity that goes beyond the plate. Reservations are mandatory and spots are limited: the Augustinian Dinner remains one of the most popular autumn events in the Rotaliana region.