Katharinawoche / St. Catherine's Week

The Katharinawoche in Sluderno

The Katharinawoche, or St. Catherine's Week, is one of the most cherished cultural events in the Upper Vinschgau Valley. It takes place every year in Sluderno (known as Schluderns in German), a small municipality in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, in the heart of Trentino-South Tyrol. The week is dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria, the village's patron saint, whose feast day is celebrated on November 25th.

Ten days of culture and tradition

Established around 2011 by the local Bildungsausschuss (the village education and culture committee), the Katharinawoche offers a rich ten-day program that engages the entire community. The calendar balances leisure, cultural enrichment, and religious devotion, highlighting local traditions and the vibrant community life of Sluderno.

• Concerts and musical evenings featuring local choirs, bands, and ensembles;
• Exhibitions, including the characteristic nativity scene display (Krippenausstellung) hosted in the Kulturhaus;
• Readings and book presentations with South Tyrolean authors;
• Cabaret shows and entertainment evenings, often with a Christmas theme;
• Workshops and lectures on cultural, historical, and health-related topics relevant to the village;
• Screenings and afternoons dedicated to the local historical memory.

The Katharinamarkt and the Kirchtag

The most anticipated moment is the Katharinamarkt, the traditional market held on the Saturday before November 25th in the town hall square. Stalls offer organic and typical Vinschgau Valley products, hot street food, handicrafts, and seasonal specialties, all accompanied by live music and a small petting zoo for children. The event concludes on St. Catherine's Day with the solemn Kirchtag mass in the parish church, followed by the Kirchtagsfest in the Kulturhaus, featuring a traditional lunch and musical entertainment.

An authentic experience in the Vinschgau Valley

The Katharinawoche offers residents and visitors the chance to experience South Tyrolean culture in its most genuine form, far from the major tourist crowds. Nestled in the Obervinschgau landscape, amidst orchards, castles, and mountains, Sluderno welcomes those who wish to discover the folk traditions, language, and gastronomy of South Tyrol on the threshold of Advent.