Perdoniger Kirchtag / Predonico Parish Festival

The parish festival on the slopes above the Adige Valley

The Perdoniger Kirchtag, or Predonico Parish Festival, is the traditional celebration of Predonico/Perdonig, a small mountain hamlet in the municipality of Appiano sulla strada del vino/Eppan an der Weinstraße, in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, Trentino-Alto Adige. Nestled at an altitude of about 900 meters on the sunny slopes overlooking the Adige Valley in the Oltradige region, Predonico is a tranquil village surrounded by forests and vineyards, at the foot of Mount Macaion (Gantkofel).

The German term Kirchtag refers to the consecration feast of the parish church, one of the most cherished events of the year for small South Tyrolean communities. The church of Predonico is dedicated to Saints Vigilius and Ulrich and, according to tradition, stands on the site of an ancient sanctuary linked to Saint Vigilius of Trento; the current building dates back to 1799. The Kirchtag revolves around this village identity, bringing together locals and visitors every year in late June for a day of celebration.

Preiskegeln and the traditions of the Kirchtag

The heart of the festival is the Preiskegeln, a prize-winning skittles competition held on the characteristic natural track (Naturkegelbahn) of the Gasthof Wieser, the historic inn in Predonico that hosts the event. It is a quintessential South Tyrolean tradition: participants of all ages compete in the skittles game, with attractive prizes for the highest scores. The day is centered around this competition, featuring food stalls serving South Tyrolean specialties, music, and the classic community spirit of village festivals.

• Preiskegeln competition (prize-winning skittles) on the Gasthof Wieser natural track
• Great prizes for traditional competition participants
• South Tyrolean culinary specialties and conviviality
• Authentic mountain village festival atmosphere

Exploring the area: Predonico and the Oltradige

The Kirchtag is also the perfect opportunity to discover Predonico and the territory of Appiano, one of the most characteristic municipalities on the South Tyrolean Wine Road. The hamlet is a starting point for numerous hikes and the Appiano High Trail, with the possibility of climbing Mount Macaion (1,866 m) through woods and pastures. In autumn, the area is famous for its Törggelen evenings, featuring chestnuts and new wine, another tradition that marks life in this corner of South Tyrol.