Kreuthner Kirchtag

A neighborhood festival in the heart of Terlano

The Kreuthner Kirchtag is one of the small, traditional festivals that mark the summer in the districts of Terlano (Terlan), a municipality in the province of Bolzano, in South Tyrol. It takes place in the Kreuth district, north of the village, where the road climbs towards Merano through the vineyards that produce the famous 'Kreuth' Chardonnay. It is not a large-scale event, but a genuine community festival organized by local residents and centered around the small chapel that serves as its heart.

The Gratlkirchl, Chapel of the Immaculate Conception

The focal point of the festival is the Gratlkirchl (or Gratlkirche), a small church located along the old road to Merano in the Kreuth district. Originally a private chapel, it was donated to the Terlano parish in 1987 by Aldo Roman and carefully restored between 1992 and 1993, returning it to its former glory. It is consecrated to the Immaculate Conception: the Baroque high altar with its four columns features an altarpiece depicting the Immaculate Conception, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, flanked by Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Anthony of Padua. The two bells in the belfry are dedicated to the Immaculate Conception and Saint John the Baptist. In memory of its consecration, the chapel's festival is traditionally held around June 24th.

The festival program

The day follows a simple and heartfelt ritual. In the evening, around 7:00 PM, a religious service is held in the Gratlkirchl, accompanied by the Terlano male choir (Männerchor Terlan)—a moment of reflection that takes place regardless of the weather. Afterwards, the community gathers in the garden of the nearby Gratlbauerhof, where the festivities truly begin with South Tyrolean culinary specialties, good local wine, and, from around 8:00 PM, musical entertainment that fills the evening with conversation and toasts.

An authentic South Tyrolean atmosphere

The Kreuthner Kirchtag preserves the character of the ancient South Tyrolean Kirchtage: neighborhood patronal festivals where the religious and social dimensions intertwine naturally. There are no large stages or crowds of tourists, just the participation of the residents of the Kreuth district and neighboring villages, set in a rural landscape of farmsteads and vineyards. For those visiting Terlano and the Bolzano area in late spring, it is an opportunity to experience a genuine local tradition, far from the more crowded tourist circuits.

Terlano and its districts

Terlano, nestled on the banks of the Adige river between Bolzano and Merano, is known for its long-lived white wines and a dense calendar of district festivals (Kirchtage) that enliven its hamlets throughout the year. The Kreuthner Kirchtag, along with the other events in the municipality, bears witness to the strong bond between the farming communities, their chapels, and the popular traditions of South Tyrol.