St. Hubertus Hunters' Festival

The Bezzecca Hunters' Festival

The St. Hubertus Hunters' Festival is one of the traditional events of Bezzecca, a village in the Municipality of Ledro, in the province of Trento, in the heart of Trentino-Alto Adige. Organized by the Bezzecca Hunters' Group with the support of the Pro Loco of Bezzecca, the festival celebrates Saint Hubert (St. Hubertus in German), the saint venerated throughout the Alpine region as the patron of hunters.

Who was Saint Hubert

Bishop of Maastricht and the first bishop of Liège, Saint Hubert (656-727) is linked to a famous legend: a passionate hunter, he had a vision of a crucifix between the antlers of a stag during a hunt, which invited him to change his life and convert. Since then, he has been considered the protector of hunters, and his figure is deeply rooted in Trentino's hunting culture, where for centuries it has united spirituality, respect for nature, and a passion for the mountains.

A community tradition

The St. Hubertus Festival represents a moment of gathering and village identity for Bezzecca. As with other hunters' festivals in Trentino, the event typically blends the solemnity of the religious moment, with a mass in honor of the saint, with the convivial dimension of a community gathering. The entire village rallies around the hunters' association for a day that highlights the deep bond between the mountain community, its forests, and its traditions.

Bezzecca and the Ledro Valley

Nestled at an altitude of about 700 meters, Bezzecca is one of the most picturesque locations in the Ledro Valley, just a short distance from Lake Ledro and not far from Lake Garda. The village houses the parish church of Santo Stefano and is famous for the Battle of Bezzecca of 1866, when the Italian Volunteers led by Giuseppe Garibaldi repelled the Austrian attack during the Third Italian War of Independence: it was here that Garibaldi uttered the famous "I obey." A historical and natural context that makes the calendar of events curated by the Pro Loco throughout the year even more precious.

Why attend

• Experience an authentic traditional festival, far from the major tourist circuits
• Discover the hunting culture and traditions of the Trentino mountains
• Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of an Alpine village in the Ledro Valley
• Combine your visit with the discovery of Lake Ledro and the village's historical heritage