Lagorai to the Sea Transhumance Festival

The Transhumance Festival in Pieve Tesino

The Lagorai to the Sea Transhumance Festival is one of the most cherished events on the Tesino plateau, in the municipality of Pieve Tesino, in the autonomous province of Trento. Every year, in mid-September, the village celebrates the return of the flocks from their summer pastures: sheep and goats that spent the summer on the Lagorai mountain range descend into the valley and cross the village streets in a festive procession. It is the Tesino version of the desmontegada, the ancient transhumance ritual that has marked the life of mountain communities in Trentino-Alto Adige for centuries.

The meaning of transhumance

The title "from Lagorai to the Sea" recalls the long journey of the flocks, which once moved from the high-altitude pastures of the Lagorai toward the plains and, in the past, even further down to the lowlands. The festival preserves and promotes a heritage of pastoral knowledge that risks disappearing: sheep farming, wool processing, dairy production, and trades related to mountain life. It is a moment of identity for the entire Tesino valley, which also includes the villages of Castello Tesino and Cinte Tesino.

What to see during the festival

The heart of the event is the parade of the flocks: shepherds and locals in traditional costumes accompany sheep and goats along the streets of Pieve Tesino in a simple, colorful, and authentic atmosphere. A rich program of activities develops around the procession:

• Sheep shearing demonstrations and ancient crafts related to shepherding;
• Market featuring local hobbies and handicrafts;
• Food stalls with dairy products, Tesino specialties, wines, and Trentino beer;
• Workshops, games, and entertainment for children and families;
• Traditional music and dancing throughout the afternoon.

Pieve Tesino and the Tesino plateau

Nestled at an altitude of about 843 meters at the foot of Monte Silana, Pieve Tesino is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy and home to the House Museum dedicated to Alcide De Gasperi, who was born here. The Tesino plateau is located in eastern Valsugana, on the border between Trentino and Veneto, and is crossed by the ancient Via Claudia Augusta Altinate. Participating in the Transhumance Festival means discovering an authentic corner of Trentino-Alto Adige, where mountains, rural tradition, and hospitality intertwine during a late-summer weekend.