Festival of the Trombini of San Bortolo delle Montagne
Gunshots, Cimbrian folklore, and tradition in the Lessinia mountains
About Festival of the Trombini
The Trombini: Ancient Weapons Become a Community Symbol
The Festival of the Trombini takes place in San Bortolo delle Montagne, a hamlet of Selva di Progno in the province of Verona, in the heart of the upper Lessinia region. The trombini – also called 's-ciopi' or 'pistoni' – derive from 17th and 18th-century war weapons, once used to instill terror or to clear a path through crowds. Today, they are very heavy and completely harmless instruments, fired ceremonially for inaugurations, anniversaries, and special occasions by the Association I Trombini di San Bartolomeo delle Montagne.
A Tradition of Cimbrian Folklore
The festival perpetuates the ancient customs of the ancestors of this mountain community, which has Cimbrian roots. The trombini of San Bortolo participate in events throughout the province of Verona, in the Veneto region, and abroad, and preserve the memory of the territory also through their own museum. The fanfare of gunshots, the parade at the monument, and meetings with twinned groups mark the event.
Four Days of Celebration at Palatrombini
The logistical heart of the event is the Palatrombini, which hosts musical evenings, entertainment, and food stalls for several days. The festival combines the ritual and identity dimension with a convivial atmosphere, attracting residents, curious visitors, and folk tradition enthusiasts from all over Lessinia, culminating in the grand final fireworks display.
Festival of the Trombini — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Festival of the Trombini will be held in San Bortolo delle Montagne, in the municipality of Selva di Progno, from Saturday, May 30 to Tuesday, June 2. The program alternates ritual moments of trombini gunshots with evenings of music, entertainment, and gastronomy at Palatrombini, concluding with the traditional fireworks display.
The event is organized by the Association I Trombini di San Bartolomeo delle Montagne and attracts folk tradition enthusiasts from all over the Veronese Lessinia region.
Programme Festival of the Trombini 2026
Saturday, May 30
- Opening at Palatrombini with institutional greetings and presentation of a book dedicated to the association 'I Trombini di San Bartolomeo delle Montagne'
- Evening: opening of food and wine stalls and music in Bavarian-Tyrolean style with the Gibierfest Band
Sunday, May 31 (Main Day)
- From morning: craft market and parade through the village streets with the Cogollo Musical Band
- Mass in the ancient chapel of the Santissima Trinità, followed by the traditional moment of trombini gunshots, refreshments, and group photo
- Afternoon: performance by the trombini with twinned associations
- Evening: music with Dave & La Picci
Monday, June 1
- Gastronomic evening at Palatrombini with fried fish, followed by a DJ set by Dj Legamel
Tuesday, June 2
- Craft market and food stalls
- Arrival of the Bielle Scaligere motorcycle group and entertainment with Dj Belfo
- Afternoon: further performance of trombini gunshots
- Evening: concluding fireworks display
Highlights Festival of the Trombini 2026
- Ceremonial gunshots of the trombini, a Cimbrian folklore rite
- Parade with the Cogollo Musical Band (Sunday, May 31)
- Final fireworks display (Tuesday, June 2)
Prices Festival of the Trombini 2026
Practical information — Festival of the Trombini
How to Get There
San Bortolo delle Montagne can be reached by car from Verona, driving up the Val d'Illasi to Selva di Progno. The hamlet is located at a high altitude: appropriate clothing is recommended, even in spring.
Contacts
Associazione I Trombini di San Bartolomeo delle Montagne – tel. +39 360 391818, [email protected].
Admission
Free access to the event; food stalls are paid.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Festival of the Trombini
Palatrombini, San Bortolo delle Montagne
San Bortolo delle Montagne, 37030 Selva di Progno