Josefimarkt · Livestock & Trade Fair

The Josefimarkt in St. Leonhard in Passeier

The Josefimarkt is the first of four traditional livestock and trade fairs (known in German as Vieh- und Krämermarkt) that mark the year in St. Leonhard in Passeier (San Leonardo in Passiria), the main town of the Passeier Valley in the province of Bolzano, in the heart of Trentino-Alto Adige. Its name derives from the feast of Saint Joseph (Josefi), celebrated on March 19th, around which the market is traditionally scheduled, effectively kicking off the town's season of major popular events.

An Ancient Market Tradition

St. Leonhard in Passeier has been a market town for centuries: its location at the center of the valley has made it the commercial hub for the surrounding farms and villages. The four annual markets — Josefimarkt in March, Neumarkt in June, Michaelsmarkt at the end of September, and Leonhardsmarkt in November — still represent highly anticipated gatherings for the community of the Passeier Valley, a land of Andreas Hofer and strong rural roots.

How the Day Unfolds

During the Josefimarkt, the town center comes alive in three distinct areas:

• The Krämermarkt (Trade Market): stalls occupy Passeirer Straße from the Gasthof Frick to the Pirpamer shoe store, Kohlstatt from the village bridge (Dorfbrücke) to the Kobler bakery, and Raiffeisenplatz. You will find South Tyrolean gastronomic specialties, clothing, household goods, and everyday items.
• The Agricultural Machinery Market (Markt für landwirtschaftliche Geräte und Maschinen): set up in the Frick parking lot and along Passeirer Straße, dedicated to the valley's rural sector.
• The Viehmarkt (Livestock Market): the ancient heart of the event, held along Andreas-Hofer-Straße, in front of the Raiffeisen multi-story parking lot.

Atmosphere and Context

The Josefimarkt preserves the authentic character of traditional alpine markets, where commerce intertwines with social life and South Tyrolean farming traditions. It is an ideal opportunity to discover typical products of the Passeier Valley, soak up the atmosphere of a mountain village, and observe a rural custom that is still very much alive. Access to the town on market days is via the bypass road (Umfahrungsstraße). The event is organized by the Municipality of St. Leonhard in Passeier.