Echt.Hand.Gemacht – Marling Market Festival

A craft market in the heart of the Burgraviato

"Echt.Hand.Gemacht – Marling Market Festival" is the annual celebration of handmade crafts held at the Festplatz, the festival square in Marling (Marling), a charming town nestled in the sunny Merano basin in the province of Bolzano. For one day, the square transforms into a vibrant open-air market where exhibitors from South Tyrol and the Burgraviato region showcase their work, crafted with creativity, skill, and attention to detail.

Among the stalls

The event's name—literally "truly handmade"—sums up its spirit: here, you will find only authentic craftsmanship. Strolling among the stalls, you will encounter:

• handcrafted jewelry and trinkets;
• wood and leather goods;
• natural soaps and body care products;
• creative home decor and small furnishings.

The market is open from 10:00 AM to approximately 4:00 PM, offering a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere perfect for leisurely browsing.

Music, gastronomy, and whip-cracking

The soundtrack for the day is provided by the Marlinger Böhmische, who begin playing the cheerful sounds of Bohemian and South Tyrolean tradition at 11:00 AM. On the culinary front, the Goaßlschnöller of Marling delight visitors with homemade warm regional dishes starting at 10:30 AM, with drinks available from 10:00 AM.

A true hallmark of the festival are the Goaßlschnöller: the "whip-crackers," who perform throughout the day with the traditional long whip (Goaßl) and demonstrate how these tools are handmade, keeping an ancient Alpine folk art alive.

A Marling community event

The event is promoted by the Marling Tourist Office (Tourismusverein Marling) in collaboration with the local Goaßlschnöller, and is designed to introduce visitors to the traditions, flavors, and craftsmanship of this corner of South Tyrol. Admission is free, and its location, just a few kilometers from Merano, makes it an ideal destination for a late-summer Sunday filled with folk culture, craft shopping, and local specialties.

The festival takes place in almost all weather conditions and is only cancelled in the event of heavy rain throughout the day.