Jakobifest / St. James Festival (Patronal Feast of St. Jakob in Kastelaz)

The Jakobifest in Termeno

The Jakobifest, known in Italian as the St. James Festival (in German Patronatsfest St. Jakob in Kastelaz), is the patronal feast dedicated to St. James the Apostle, held every summer in Termeno sulla strada del vino (Tramin an der Weinstraße), a renowned wine-growing village in the Bassa Atesina region, in the province of Bolzano, in the heart of South Tyrol. The festival combines the religious significance of a patronal feast with the convivial, community-focused spirit typical of South Tyrolean Kirchtag celebrations.

A unique setting: the Church of St. James in Kastelaz

The festivities revolve around the small Church of St. James, perched on the scenic Kastelaz hill overlooking the village of Termeno and the vineyards of the Wine Road. First mentioned in 1214, the church houses one of the oldest cycles of Romanesque frescoes in the Alpine region, dating back to around 1215. On the apse walls, one can admire the figure of Christ surrounded by the symbols of the Evangelists and the twelve apostles, while the base is animated by an imaginative bestiary of hybrid and monstrous creatures—a rare testament to medieval imagery. The dominant position and the backdrop of vineyards make this an exceptionally evocative setting for an open-air festival.

How the festival unfolds

The day begins in the morning with a solemn Holy Mass in the Church of St. James, celebrated in honor of the patron saint. In the late afternoon, starting at 6:00 PM, the courtyard party comes to life: guests can enjoy traditional South Tyrolean cuisine, accompanied by Termeno wine and local beers, while musical entertainment carries the evening late into the night. The intimate atmosphere and the views over the vineyards make the Jakobifest a beloved event for locals and visitors alike.

Organizers

The festival is organized by the Egetmannverein Tramin, a historic local cultural association that oversees the traditions of the patronal feast and hospitality for attendees. The Municipality of Termeno sulla strada del vino promotes the event as part of the local summer calendar.

In the surroundings

Termeno is one of the most characteristic villages on the South Tyrolean Wine Road, famous for its aromatic Gewürztraminer grape. A visit to the Jakobifest can easily be combined with a walk through the vineyards up to the Kastelaz hill, or a discovery of the village's historic center and the nearby Lake Caldaro.