Barbianer Zwetschkenfest (Barbiano Plum Festival)

The Barbiano Plum Festival

The Barbianer Zwetschkenfest is the grand finale of the Barbianer Zwetschkenwochen (Plum Weeks), an event held every late summer to celebrate the Zwetschke, the plum that has defined the orchards and terraced hillsides of Barbiano (Barbian) in the Isarco Valley, South Tyrol, for centuries.

Barbiano's plums grow on the sunny slopes above the village, which is also renowned for its distinctive leaning tower. During the Plum Weeks, local restaurants serve themed dishes, while shops offer jams, plum bread (Pflaumenbrot), and dried plums. The final gastronomic festival brings the entire community together for a day of tasting and conviviality.

A day at the Saubach Festplatz

The heart of the festival is the Festplatz in the hamlet of Saubach, where, for an entire Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm, visitors can enjoy sweet and savoury plum-based delicacies. Traditional South Tyrolean farmhouse dishes are also served, accompanied by local products.

Musical entertainment is provided by traditional South Tyrolean bands, giving the event the authentic feel of a Dorffest, the typical village festival of the mountain communities of South Tyrol.

The Zwetschkenweg, the Plum Trail

During the Plum Weeks, guided hikes are organised along the Zwetschkenweg (Plum Trail), a scenic route through the orchards that reveals the history and traditions surrounding this fruit. The trail includes gastronomic stops at local farmsteads and inns for tastings of plum-based dishes.

A genuine Isarco Valley tradition

The Barbianer Zwetschkenfest is one of the most cherished autumn culinary events in the Chiusa/Klausen area. Far from the major tourist crowds, it retains an authentic, family-friendly character rooted in the rhythm of the seasons and the rural culture of the Isarco Valley. It is the perfect opportunity to discover a niche product and an authentic corner of South Tyrol, combining hiking, tradition, and fine food.