Gollimorkt (St. Gall Market)

The Gollimorkt of Malles: A tradition spanning nearly four centuries

In the heart of the Upper Val Venosta, at the western edge of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano and the Trentino-Alto Adige region, the town of Malles/Mals celebrates one of South Tyrol's oldest and most beloved fairs every year: the Gollimorkt, or St. Gall Market. The event is held punctually on October 16th, the day the Church commemorates St. Gall (Gallus), the Irish monk from whom the market takes its name.

Origins in 1642

The Gollimorkt was founded in 1642, alongside the spring Georgimarkt, when Archduchess Claudia de' Medici elevated Malles to the rank of a market town, granting it the right to hold markets. Since then, the fair has marked the town's calendar: it was once the appointment where valley farmers sold their harvests and prepared for winter, and it still retains that authentic character of a grand village market today. After a period of decline in the last century, the event was revitalized by expanding its product range to include goods from the entire Alpine area, reaching as far as the Engadine.

Over 160 stalls through the town center

During the fair, the streets and squares of the historic center of Malles are filled with over 160 stalls. The colorful autumn market offers everything:

• Agricultural and farm produce from the Val Venosta
• Local handicrafts and art objects
• Sweets, chestnuts, and seasonal specialties
• Clothing, textiles, and household goods
• Curiosities, bargains, and typical South Tyrolean products

The town's innkeepers and local establishments complete the celebration by offering traditional dishes prepared with regional ingredients: a perfect opportunity to savor the genuine cuisine of the Obervinschgau, including Canederli, Schlutzkrapfen, chestnuts, and new wine.

A defining event for the Upper Val Venosta

The Gollimorkt is much more than a commercial fair: it is a collective ritual that brings together the inhabitants of Malles, Sluderno, Tubre, and Glorenza, attracting visitors from all over South Tyrol and neighboring Switzerland. The atmosphere is that of the great fairs of the past, with the crisp air of the Alpine autumn and the colors of the larches and the mountains of the Upper Val Venosta providing the backdrop for a day of meeting, trade, and conviviality.