Kastelruther Kirchtag (Patronal Feast of Saints Peter and Paul)

A patronal feast in the heart of the Sciliar area

The Kastelruther Kirchtag is the patronal feast of Castelrotto (Kastelruth in German), a picturesque village in South Tyrol at the foot of the Sciliar massif, in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano. The festival is dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, the patron saints to whom the local parish church is consecrated, and is traditionally celebrated on the last weekend of June, close to the liturgical feast day of June 29th.

In keeping with the tradition of the Tyrolean Kirchtag (the feast commemorating the church's consecration and honoring its patron saints), the event blends religious observance with popular festivities: a solemn Holy Mass, a procession through the town center, and a lively village festival with music, food, and conviviality. The event is organized by the community itself: the Bauernjugend Kastelruth, the local rural youth organization, manages the hospitality, service, and the genuine atmosphere that makes this event so beloved by locals and visitors alike.

The Church of Saints Peter and Paul

The heart of the festival is the majestic parish church of Saints Peter and Paul, affectionately known as the "Cathedral on the Mountain." The current neoclassical building was constructed between 1846 and 1849 and consecrated on October 21, 1849, while the parish's origins date back to at least 1190. Beside the church stands the famous bell tower, 82 meters high, rebuilt between 1756 and 1758 based on a design by the master mason Simon Rieder from Bressanone: together, the church and tower create the unmistakable silhouette of the Castelrotto square.

Castelrotto, home of the Kastelruther Spatzen

Castelrotto is known throughout the German-speaking world as the home of the Kastelruther Spatzen, the famous South Tyrolean folk music group that has carried the village's name far beyond the borders of South Tyrol. The backdrop for the patronal feast is the Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm) and the Sciliar region, one of the most evocative destinations in the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Tradition, music, and flavors

During the Kirchtag, the air fills with the notes of the Musikkapelle Kastelruth, the local brass band in traditional costume, and various South Tyrolean Volksmusik groups. There is no shortage of local culinary specialties (Speis & Trank): traditional dishes, desserts, and local beers are served in the middle school courtyard, which is transformed into a lively festival venue for the occasion. It is the perfect opportunity to experience the true soul of Castelrotto and its traditions.