South Tyrol Speck Festival

The South Tyrol Speck Festival at the top of the Dolomites

The South Tyrol Speck Festival (known in German as Südtiroler Speckfest) is an event celebrating the iconic product of the region: PGI South Tyrol Speck. The festival takes place on Plan de Corones (Kronplatz), the mountain towering over Bruneck, in the heart of the Puster Valley, in the autonomous province of Bolzano. At an altitude of 2,275 meters, with views of the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites and the surrounding alpine ridges, the event combines fine food and wine, tradition, and music in a spectacular setting.

A tribute to the art of curing

The immense popularity of South Tyrolean speck stems from its unmistakable flavor, traditional production methods, and the passion of its producers. During the festival, visitors can meet the region's top producers, sample their hams, and discover the secrets of the craft: precise salting, light smoking with beech wood, and slow aging in the mountain air. South Tyrol Speck is protected by the PGI label and overseen by the South Tyrol Speck Consortium, which organizes the event.

Tastings, a gourmet market, and music

The two-day event features guided tastings, where experts guide the public through various aromas and textures, often pairing the speck with select South Tyrolean wines, local cheeses, and apples. There is also a gourmet market featuring regional specialties, show-cooking sessions with local chefs, and plenty of live music from brass bands and folk groups, ranging from the Brixner Böhmische to alpine horn players. The highlight is the official opening ceremony featuring the traditional cutting of the speck ham.

How to experience the festival

The event area is easily accessible via the Kronplatz cable car, which runs continuously during the event, departing from Reischach, Olang, or San Vigilio di Marebbe. Outdoor enthusiasts can also hike or mountain bike up along the trails of the resort. In the event of bad weather, as has happened in previous years, the festival is moved to the center of Bruneck, between Piazza Tschurtschenthaler and the Town Hall Square. An unmissable appointment for food and wine lovers and those looking to discover the gastronomic soul of South Tyrol.