Barbianer Zwetschkenwochen (Barbiano Plum Weeks)

The Barbiano Plum Weeks

The Barbianer Zwetschkenwochen (Barbiano Plum Weeks) are a late-summer culinary event held in Barbiano/Barbian, a charming village nestled on a sunny terrace overlooking the Isarco Valley in the province of Bolzano, in the heart of South Tyrol. For about two weeks, the entire village honors a fruit as humble as it is iconic: the Barbiano plum (known as Zwetschke in German), a blue plum that thrives in the local microclimate and has been a staple of regional cuisine for centuries.

A fruit, many interpretations

During the event, local restaurants and inns feature creative plum-based menus, ranging from appetizers to desserts, rediscovering traditional South Tyrolean peasant recipes. In shops and farmsteads, visitors can purchase typical plum-derived products: plum bread, jams, preserves, dried fruit, and other artisanal specialties. It is the perfect opportunity to discover how versatile this fruit is and how deeply rooted it is in the local gastronomic culture.

The Plum Trail and guided hikes

The event centers around the Plum Trail (Zwetschkenweg), a themed path open year-round that tells the story of the fruit's cultivation among the orchards and farms of Barbiano. During the Plum Weeks, guided hikes are organized along the trail, featuring delicious stops to taste plum-based dishes and explore the unique charm of this corner of the Eisacktal.

The Zwetschkenfest, the final festival

The highlight is the Zwetschkenfest, the plum festival, which concludes the event with a day of culinary delights, market stalls, and live music in the center of Barbiano. It is an authentic village celebration where the local community welcomes guests and visitors in a convivial, typically South Tyrolean atmosphere.

Why visit

The Barbianer Zwetschkenwochen are an invitation to discover a side of South Tyrol far from the main tourist crowds: a mountain village, its traditional farms, its flavors, and a living rural heritage. An experience that combines fine dining, autumn nature walks, and the warmth of a small community in the Isarco Valley.