Sommerfest / Oldtimertreffen of the Freiwillige Feuerwehr Unsere Liebe Frau im Walde

A mountain festival on the Deutschnonsberg

In the tiny village of Unsere Liebe Frau im Walde (Senale), at an altitude of over 1,200 meters on the Deutschnonsberg, the Sommerfest organized by the local Freiwillige Feuerwehr (volunteer fire department) takes place every summer. The hamlet is part of the bilingual municipality of Senale-San Felice / Unsere Liebe Frau im Walde-St. Felix, in the province of Bolzano, in Trentino-Alto Adige, along the historic Gampenpass road.

The grand Oldtimertreffen

The heart of the event is the Oldtimertreffen, a vintage vehicle rally that attracts hundreds of classic machines every year: tractors, cars, and old fire trucks arrive from all over South Tyrol and the nearby Trentino region. Participants include enthusiasts linked to the Porsche-Diesel Club Europa, showcasing their famous vintage tractors. The meadows surrounding the village transform into an open-air museum where the public can admire the mechanics of yesteryear up close.

The fire department's Schauübung

The highlight of the afternoon is the Schauübung, a demonstration exercise conducted by the firefighters using historical equipment: they simulate the fire of a vehicle that has crashed into an embankment, extinguishing it with old pumps and tools. In addition to the Feuerwehr of Unsere Liebe Frau im Walde, the corps from Lana, Tscherms (Cermes), and Burgstall (Postal) take part in the demonstrations, alongside colleagues from Casez in Val di Non and the Carabinieri.

Conviviality and South Tyrolean flavors

True to the tradition of South Tyrolean village festivals, there is no shortage of a gastronomic tent and catering service managed by volunteers, featuring local specialties, homemade desserts, beer, and music. The festival is designed for the whole family and maintains an authentic, informal atmosphere, far from large-scale tourist events: the entire village mobilizes to welcome visitors.

A celebration of identity

The Sommerfest with the Oldtimertreffen has become a consolidated tradition for the small community of the Deutschnonsberg and represents the main summer gathering point for the village. A passion for vintage engines, the volunteer spirit of the fire department, and mountain hospitality merge into a day that unites generations and valleys.