Malga Clef Mountain Festival

A mountain festival on the Boniprati Plateau

Over the years, the Malga Clef Mountain Festival has become a key event for the municipality of Pieve di Bono-Prezzo, in the province of Trento and the heart of Trentino-Alto Adige. It takes place on a Sunday in June at Malga Clef, an alpine dairy located at 1,717 meters on the Boniprati Plateau, above the Chiese Valley. The dairy, owned by the municipality, hosts cows during the summer grazing season and produces an alpine cheese similar to Bàgoss: it is an authentic setting, surrounded by pastures and woods, for a day that blends nature, tradition, and conviviality.

Official ceremonies and memories of the Great War

The festival maintains a strong connection to the history of the area. Tucked away not far from the dairy is the Clef military cemetery, a poignant reminder of the First World War: here, soldiers were buried after being swept away by an avalanche on nearby Monte Lavanech in December 1916. By the end of the conflict, the number of fallen reached 252, before they were later moved to the Castel Dante Ossuary in Rovereto. The morning of the festival opens with the flag-raising ceremony and Holy Mass at the military cemetery in memory of the fallen.

Music, tradition, and community

The event is organized by the Pro Loco of Pieve di Bono in collaboration with the Coro Azzurro di Strada, the Pieve di Bono Brass Band, the Desmalgada Committee, and the Schützen Compagnie of Roncone. These local associations bring the day to life with musical accompaniment from the band and choir and the presence of the Schützen in their traditional costumes. After lunch, the afternoon continues with music, good food, and great company, in a festive atmosphere that represents one of the most cherished moments of the local summer.

An experience for the whole family

The Malga Clef Mountain Festival is also designed with children in mind: in the afternoon, the Desmalgada Committee hosts a fun milking demonstration for kids, a playful way to introduce them to alpine life and the farming traditions of the Chiese Valley. Between local flavors, historical remembrance, and the music of local associations, the festival offers residents and visitors a complete day immersed in the mountain culture of Trentino.