Kirchtag Aldein (Kirchtig za Jakobi)

The patronal feast of the plateau village

The Kirchtag Aldein, known in the South Tyrolean dialect as Kirchtig za Jakobi, is the patronal feast of the village of Aldein (Aldino), a mountain settlement in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, Trentino-Alto Adige. Perched at an altitude of 1,225 meters on the Regglberg plateau, about fifteen kilometers south of the provincial capital Bolzano, Aldein is a quiet, sunny village of just over 1,600 inhabitants, surrounded by forests and overlooking the Fiemme Dolomites.

In German, the term Kirchtag refers to the anniversary of a church's consecration, marking the most significant day of the year for a local community. In Aldein, the event takes place around July 25th, the feast day of Saint James the Greater (Jakobus), one of the parish's patron saints alongside Saint Helena and the Finding of the Holy Cross, to whom the church is dedicated.

Tradition, faith, and music

The day of the Kirchtig za Jakobi follows a rhythm passed down through generations. The heart of the celebration is the solemn mass in the parish church, held with great reverence. The service is made special by the participation, in traditional dress and uniform, of the groups that keep the village identity alive: the Schützen company (the historic marksmen of Tyrol), the volunteer fire brigade, and above all the Musikkapelle Aldein, the village brass band active since 1913, which accompanies the celebration with its music.

Following the religious service, the festivities move to the Dorfplatz, the village square, where the more social side of the Kirchtag comes to life: the classic Frühschoppen with the band, stalls from local associations, South Tyrolean gastronomic specialties, and an open invitation to everyone—locals, vacationers, and hikers alike—to gather and share a day of community.

Around the festival: Aldein and the Bletterbach

The festival is also an excellent opportunity to discover Aldein and its surroundings. In addition to the main village, the municipality includes the hamlets of Radein and Olmi, and is famous for the GEOPARC Bletterbach, the spectacular gorge nicknamed the "Grand Canyon of South Tyrol," with its exposed geological layers and dinosaur tracks. Ancient mills along the stream, now transformed into an open-air museum, tell the story of the agricultural and artisanal heritage of this corner of South Tyrol.