Desmonteada of Soraga

The Desmonteada of Soraga: the ritual of returning from the pastures

The Desmonteada of Soraga is one of the most authentic festivals in the Val di Fassa, dedicated to the desmontegada, the ancient custom marking the return of livestock from high-altitude alpine pastures to the valley stables at the end of the summer season. It is a moment of great identity for the community of Soraga di Fassa, a small municipality in the autonomous province of Trento, in Trentino-Alto Adige, where Ladin culture and pastoral traditions remain vibrant and deeply felt.

The animal parade along the village street

The most anticipated moment of the day is the parade: cows, sheep, goats, donkeys, and pigs travel along the main street of the village, led by the shepherds and farmers who tended to them during the summer on the mountain pastures. The animals are often adorned according to traditional farming customs, while the village pauses to welcome the procession. The main road is closed to traffic during the parade, which represents the symbolic heart of the festival and a gesture of gratitude for a completed alpine season.

Organic market, cheese-making, and mountain flavors

The parade is the centerpiece of a full day of events. At Prà del Preve, the green area adjacent to the church, an organic market is held featuring products from local alpine farmers and agricultural businesses, alongside artisanal cheese-making demonstrations showing how mountain cheese is created. There is no shortage of the 'farmer's aperitif', lunch featuring simple and genuine traditional dishes, and tastings of typical valley products.

Music, folk dancing, and Ladin culture

Throughout the day, the streets of Soraga come alive with live music, folk dances, and performances by folk groups. The festival is an opportunity to rediscover the Ladin roots of the Val di Fassa, amidst traditional costumes, songs, and conviviality. The Desmonteada is organized by the Soraga Events Committee in collaboration with the 'Malghe e pascoli di Soraga' association, which preserves and promotes the local alpine heritage.

An event in the heart of the Fassa autumn

The Desmonteada of Soraga is part of the autumn calendar of 'desmontegade' in Trentino and takes place during the same days as the Puzzone di Moena DOP Festival, offering visitors the chance to fully experience the mountain atmosphere at the end of summer, amidst tradition, gastronomy, and the landscapes of the Dolomites.