Ehrenburga Kirschta

The Kirschta of Casteldarne, a living tradition in the Puster Valley

The Ehrenburga Kirschta is the Kirchtag — the traditional folk and patronal festival — of the small village of Ehrenburg/Casteldarne, located in the municipality of Chienes/Kiens in the Puster Valley, within the Province of Bolzano (South Tyrol). In keeping with the finest South Tyrolean traditions, the festival is organized by the Schützenkompanie Ehrenburg, the local Schützen company, and transforms the Schulplatz (the elementary school square) into a vibrant meeting point for locals and visitors alike for an entire weekend.

The Kirschtamichlbaum and the spirit of the Kirchtag

The most iconic moment of the festival is the raising of the Kirschtamichlbaum, the Kirschta tree: every year, the operation draws a curious crowd to the square, accompanied by applause and toasts. It is the symbolic act that officially kicks off the festivities, following a ritual passed down through generations in the valley's villages. Around the tree, the typical atmosphere of the South Tyrolean Kirchtag comes to life, filled with music, conviviality, and authentic cuisine.

Music, bands, and Tyrolean cuisine

The program alternates between folk music groups and Tyrolean bands, alongside more energetic evenings with DJ sets in the Almhüttenfete (alpine hut party) style. Traditional gastronomy is a highlight: visitors can enjoy Tirschtlan and Strauben (spiral-shaped fried pastries), paired with specialties and beers from the Puster Valley. On Sunday, the atmosphere is more family-oriented, featuring a morning band performance and the grand prize draw that concludes the festival.

A community event

The Ehrenburga Kirschta is not a large-scale commercial festival, but an authentic village celebration, curated by the community of Casteldarne and its Schützen. For those visiting the Plan de Corones area and the Puster Valley in spring, it is the perfect opportunity to experience South Tyrolean traditions up close, in a village dominated by the historic Castello di Casteldarne (Schloss Ehrenburg).