Keila Kirschta (Keiler Kirchtag)

The Keila Kirschta, the heart of tradition in Val Casies

The Keila Kirschta, known in German as Keiler Kirchtag, is the traditional patronal feast of the village of Colle (Koll), in the municipality of Valle di Casies/Gsies, in the province of Bolzano, in the heart of Trentino-Alto Adige. Set in the picturesque Val Casies (Gsiesertal), one of the most authentic side valleys of South Tyrol at the foot of the Dolomites, this festival is deeply rooted in mountain farming culture and the calendar of patronal feasts (Kirchtag) that mark the life of South Tyrolean villages.

The raising of the Kirschtamichl

The festival kicks off on Saturday afternoon with one of the most anticipated and characteristic moments: the raising of the Kirschtamichl, the tall festival tree that is hoisted by hand by the local men in a ritual as long as it is entertaining, amidst the applause and encouragement of the crowd. The evening continues under the festival tent with live music, brass bands, and Tyrolean gastronomic specialties, in a convivial atmosphere that brings the entire community together.

The grand Sunday parade

Sunday is the highlight of the event. The morning begins with the traditional Frühschoppen, a morning aperitif accompanied by brass bands, while the early afternoon sees the grand festive parade come to life: decorated floats, groups in traditional costume, brass bands, and above all, the cows adorned with garlands descending from the mountain pastures in a true transhumance (Almabtrieb). Every year, the parade revolves around a theme linked to local rural tradition, offering a spectacle of color and alpine identity that attracts visitors from across the valley.

Mountain flavors and atmosphere

Throughout the entire weekend, there is no shortage of Tyrolean specialties prepared by volunteers, an entertainment program for children, and the unmistakable atmosphere of South Tyrolean village festivals. The event is organized by the Colle Volunteer Fire Department (Freiwillige Feuerwehr Koll), who manage every detail with the dedication typical of the volunteer associations that animate the life of the villages in the Val Casies.

Why attend

• Experience an authentic South Tyrolean patronal feast, far from the major tourist circuits
• Witness the raising of the Kirschtamichl and the evocative transhumance of the garlanded cows
• Enjoy Tyrolean specialties in a high-mountain setting at the foot of the Dolomites
• Discover the Val Casies (Gsiesertal), an ideal valley for hiking and slow tourism