Grieser Kirchtag

The Grieser Kirchtag: The Patronal Festival of Gries

The Grieser Kirchtag is the patronal festival (in German Kirchtag, literally "church day") of the Gries district, once an independent municipality and now part of the city of Bolzano/Bozen, in the heart of South Tyrol. Like many South Tyrolean Kirchtags, the festival is rooted in the dedication of the parish church and popular devotion, evolving over time into a gathering for the entire community where religious tradition intertwines with music and conviviality.

The Bürgerkapelle Gries, the Musical Heart of the Festival

The driving force and organizer of the day is the Bürgerkapelle Gries, the district's civic band. Founded in 1821 as the Grieser Musikgesellschaft by organist Ignaz Dietrich, the band adopted its current name in 1901 when Gries was granted market town status. Disbanded in 1939 under pressure from the fascist regime, it was reconstituted in 1945 and now boasts about 80 musicians. In 2022, it celebrated two centuries of activity. As a member of the South Tyrolean Band Federation, the Bürgerkapelle marks the main events of the Gries calendar with its music, from the New Year's concert to the feast of Saint Cecilia, and of course, the September Kirchtag.

Mass and Concert at the Münzbank

The Grieser Kirchtag program revolves around two key moments. In the morning, the band accompanies the solemn mass with the Messgestaltung, the traditional musical liturgy; this is followed by a concert at the Münzbank. The Münzbank is one of the district's most evocative buildings: overlooking the east side of Grieser Platz, its origins likely date back to Count Meinhard II (13th century), who established a mint there to strengthen Gries; the current two-story building dates back to the 18th century, rebuilt around 1830. The entire Grieser Platz, with the Münzbank as one of its main features, is now protected as a site of historical value.

A Gathering for the Gries Community

More than just a major tourist event, the Grieser Kirchtag is a community celebration: it brings district residents together around their band and their history, in one of Bolzano's most characteristic areas, nestled between the ancient churches of Gries, the Muri-Gries Benedictine monastery, and the vineyards that have made Gries wine famous. Participating means discovering the most authentic and traditional side of the South Tyrolean capital.