Sonnta-Hons Markt (St. Johann-Markt)

The Sonnta-Hons Markt in Prato allo Stelvio

Every year on June 24th, the feast day of St. John the Baptist, the town of Prato allo Stelvio (Prad am Stilfserjoch) celebrates its oldest traditional market: the Sonnta-Hons Markt, also known in German as the St. Johann-Markt. We are in the Vinschgau Valley, in the western part of the Province of Bolzano, at the gateway to the road that climbs toward the famous Stelvio Pass, in the heart of Trentino-Alto Adige.

A centuries-old Kirchtag

The Sonnta-Hons Markt is considered the first and likely the oldest Kirchtag (patronal festival) in Prato allo Stelvio. The South Tyrolean dialect name "Sonnta-Hons" refers directly to St. John (Hons = Johann/John), to whom the small, ancient church of St. John is dedicated. The day begins early in the morning with mass celebrated in the old church, following a custom passed down through generations that still sets the rhythm for the festival today.

Stalls, regional products, and gastronomy

Once the religious service concludes, the town center fills with market stalls. Alongside classic market vendors, you will find a wide range of regional products from the Vinschgau Valley, as well as food and drink stands where you can sample local specialties. It is an event that blends the traditional fair experience with a local village festival, attracting both residents and the many tourists staying in the area during the summer.

• When: June 24th, feast of St. John the Baptist (fixed date every year)
• Where: Town center of Prato allo Stelvio, Vinschgau Valley
• What: Traditional market, regional products, South Tyrolean gastronomy
• Origin: The town's oldest Kirchtag, linked to the church of St. John

Prato allo Stelvio and the Stelvio National Park

The municipality of Prato allo Stelvio is one of the gateways to the Stelvio National Park, the largest protected area in the Italian Alps. Visiting the Sonnta-Hons Markt is therefore also an opportunity to discover a mountain village in the Vinschgau Valley, nestled in a landscape of orchards, pastures, and high peaks, where the rural and religious traditions of South Tyrol continue to mark the community's calendar.