Segra da La Val - Kirchweihfest in La Val

The village festival of the smallest town in Alta Badia

The Segra da La Val, also known by its German name Kirchweihfest in La Val, is the patronal feast of La Valle (known as La Val in Ladin and Wengen in German), the smallest and most tranquil village in Alta Badia, in the province of Bolzano. Every year at the start of summer, the village center comes alive for one of the most cherished traditions of the Ladin community: an event that weaves together religious devotion, folk tradition, and conviviality.

Deeply rooted Ladin tradition

The term Segra corresponds to the German concept of Kirchtag or Kirchweih, the festival dedicated to the consecration of the local parish church. In Val Badia, these festivals have marked the mountain community calendar for centuries and represent a moment of strong collective identity. In La Valle, the festivities revolve around the parish church of San Genesio, which overlooks the small center framed by the Dolomite peaks.

The festival program

The day begins with a solemn mass celebrated in the village church, often accompanied by traditional hymns and music. Following the service, the celebration moves to the village center, where the community and local associations offer:

• tastings of Ladin culinary specialties and typical Val Badia dishes;
• musical entertainment by the La Valle brass band;
• moments of conviviality, dancing, and social gatherings for locals and visitors alike.

The atmosphere is that of a genuine mountain village festival: intimate, familiar, and deeply connected to the land, far from the bustle of large commercial events.

La Valle, a jewel of the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park

The village of La Valle is located in the heart of the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park, in one of the most pristine areas of the South Tyrolean Dolomites. Awarded the title of "European Hiking Village" in 2015, this small town is famous for its untouched nature, scattered farmsteads, and the peace that sets it apart from the more tourist-heavy locations in Alta Badia. Attending the Segra da La Val means experiencing an authentic fragment of Ladin culture, surrounded by faith, music, and mountain flavors in the municipality of La Valle, in the Trentino-Alto Adige region.