Mataner Kirchtag

The Mataner Kirchtag: The patronal festival of Montagna

The Mataner Kirchtag is the patronal festival of the municipality of Montagna sulla strada del vino (Montan an der Weinstraße), a small village in the Oltradige-Bassa Atesina area of the province of Bolzano, in the heart of Trentino-Alto Adige. Every year on August 24th, the town celebrates its patron saint, Saint Bartholomew the Apostle, to whom the local parish church is dedicated.

What is a Kirchtag

The term Kirchtag refers to a festival rooted in the anniversary of a church's consecration or the feast day of its patron saint. Over time, this religious observance has evolved into a true community celebration, deeply felt by the entire village. In South Tyrol, the Kirchtag is a living tradition, carefully preserved, representing popular culture in its most genuine form: a moment for the community to come together, pass down customs, and rediscover a sense of belonging to their village.

The day's program

The Montagna Kirchtag is structured around two complementary moments. In the afternoon, at 6:00 PM, Holy Mass is celebrated in the parish church of Saint Bartholomew, the spiritual heart of the festival. This is followed by the social portion of the event, which enlivens the village square (Dorfplatz) and the streets of the historic center.

• Live music, featuring local musical groups, including the Montagna Brass Band (Musikkapelle Montan)
• South Tyrolean culinary specialties and traditional dishes, prepared and served by local associations
• Local wines from the Oltradige wine region, famous for its vineyards
• Entertainment and conviviality in the streets and courtyards of the center

A village on the Wine Road

Montagna is situated in a panoramic position on the plateau overlooking the Bassa Atesina, a territory known for its viticulture and proximity to the Castelfeder nature reserve. The Mataner Kirchtag is the perfect opportunity to discover this authentic corner of South Tyrol, far from the most beaten tourist paths, and to experience a village festival organized entirely by local associations in an atmosphere of warmth and hospitality.

A tradition that unites faith and community

Like all South Tyrolean Kirchtags, the one in Montagna intertwines the religious dimension with a festive, community spirit. It is a day when the village gathers around its patron saint and its roots, offering residents and visitors an experience of authentic tradition in the picturesque setting of the Province of Bolzano.