Segra Sacun – Village Festival in San Giacomo

The Segra Sacun in San Giacomo, above Ortisei

The Segra Sacun is the village festival of Ortisei/St. Ulrich, located in the heart of Val Gardena, in the province of Bolzano (Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol). Its oldest and most deeply felt moment is the pilgrimage that, every second Sunday of October, leads the villagers up to the Chapel of San Giacomo (in Ladin Dlieja da Sacun), accessible only on foot from the hamlet of the same name. It is considered one of the most evocative pilgrimages in the entire Alpine region, set against the backdrop of autumn-colored forests.

The oldest church in the valley

The Chapel of San Giacomo stands isolated on a steep, wooded slope, offering an open view of the Sassolungo massif, which rises before it like a cathedral of rock. Its origins date back to the 12th century: it is the oldest church in Val Gardena and a symbol of the identity of the Ladin community of Ortisei. The hike along the forest path is part of the experience, featuring panoramic switchbacks and glimpses of the Dolomites.

The mass and the Tyrolean Schützen tradition

The heart of the day is the solemn mass celebrated in the small church. Following ancient Tyrolean tradition, before the service begins, the Schützen of Ortisei fire mortar shots, while a group of men rings the bells by hand. During the Eucharistic consecration, the celebration is solemnly punctuated by the firing of mortars and the ringing of bells, in a ritual that blends popular faith with historical memory.

Conviviality, flavors, and music

After mass, participants gather outdoors around the chapel for a festive moment: they enjoy local specialties—cold cuts with sauerkraut, poppy seed-filled krapfen, and the traditional tripe soup (the "saura") associated with the event—accompanied by the notes of a small musical ensemble with guitar, accordion, and horn. The day also includes a lottery and the festive atmosphere of a mountain community reunited.

Decorated pears and the "marriage market"

The Segra Sacun is linked to the ancient custom of decorated pears: once, farmers offered them to the female farmhands who had helped with the haymaking, and over time, the gesture took on a romantic meaning. The festival, along with the market the following day and the evening dances (the "bal de Sacun"), served as a true "marriage market," an ideal occasion to meet and find a spouse. The day after the pilgrimage, on Monday, the large traditional "Segra Sacun" market is held in the center of Ortisei.

A landmark of the Val Gardena autumn

The Segra Sacun remains one of the most authentic traditions of Val Gardena: an event that weaves together faith, history, gastronomy, and conviviality, preserving the Ladin identity of Ortisei and its hamlet of San Giacomo. Participation in the pilgrimage and mass is free.