Meronsna Kirschta / Meransner Kirchtag

A mountain festival in the heart of South Tyrol

The Meransner Kirchtag, which locals call Meronsna Kirschta in dialect, is the traditional village festival (Kirchtag) of Maranza (in German Meransen), a mountain hamlet situated at over 1,400 meters above sea level on the sunny plateau at the foot of the Gitschberg Jochtal ski area. The village is part of the Municipality of Rio di Pusteria (Mühlbach), in the Puster Valley, within the Autonomous Province of Bolzano in the Trentino-South Tyrol region.

The festival is organized by the Bauernjugend Meransen, the local branch of the South Tyrolean Rural Youth, an association of young people dedicated to preserving traditions, mountain agriculture, and community life. The Kirchtag is one of the most anticipated events of the summer in Maranza: for three days, usually in early July, the festival square becomes a meeting point for residents, vacationers, and guests from neighboring towns.

Three days of music and conviviality

The typical program of the Meransner Kirchtag balances the lightheartedness of Alpine folk music with the energy of dance evenings. Friday kicks off with concerts by folk music groups and a DJ disco; Saturday is dedicated to dance bands, a Partyband, and a disco that continues late into the night; Sunday, the highlight of the event, opens with a solemn Mass and the festive procession of local associations, followed by entertainment from the brass band and the Schützen, traditional dance groups, and the grand raffle.

• Concerts by Alpine folk music groups and dance bands
• DJ disco nights until late
• Solemn Mass and Sunday procession of local associations
• Performances by the brass band and traditional dance groups (Plattler)
• Grand raffle with fantastic prizes
• South Tyrolean culinary specialties and catering in the festival tent

Tradition and solidarity

The Kirchtag in Maranza is not just about celebration: one of the most characteristic moments is the charity auction of the festival tree (the Kirchtagsbaum), with proceeds donated to charity. The Bauernjugend Meransen usually doubles the amount raised, donating it to solidarity funds and families in the valley facing hardship—a gesture that weaves popular celebration with the ancient spirit of mutual aid typical of mountain farming communities.

The setting: Maranza and the Gitschberg Jochtal

Maranza is one of the most beloved hiking destinations in the Puster Valley: in summer, the plateau serves as a starting point for walks toward the Sasso della Croce (Fallmetzer) and the surrounding alpine pastures, while in winter it becomes a ski resort in the Gitschberg Jochtal area. The village festival is the perfect opportunity to experience the authentic atmosphere of a South Tyrolean alpine village, complete with traditional costumes, live music, and the flavors of mountain cuisine, all in a panoramic setting overlooking the Dolomites.