St. Peter & Paul Patronal Festival (Kirchtag St. Peter)

A patronal feast at the foot of the Odle mountains

The St. Peter & Paul Patronal Festival, also known as the Kirchtag of St. Peter, is the annual feast day that brings the village of St. Peter to life towards the end of June. Located in the Val di Funes within the municipality of Funes/Villnöß (Province of Bolzano, Trentino-Alto Adige), the event is dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, the parish patrons, whose feast day falls on June 29th. It is a day when the mountain community gathers around its church, blending faith, tradition, and conviviality, all under the gaze of the Odle (Geisler) peaks that dominate the valley.

The parish church, symbol of the valley

The heart of the festival is the parish church of Saints Peter and Paul, one of the most photographed buildings in all of South Tyrol. Perched on a sunny terrace at an altitude of about 1,150 meters, it has become the quintessential symbol of Val di Funes, the valley where mountaineer Reinhold Messner grew up. Village life flows at a peaceful pace around the church and the community hall, providing the perfect backdrop for the patronal feast.

The day's program

The celebration opens with a solemn mass at 9:30 AM in the St. Peter parish church, accompanied by the parish choir and the Villnöß brass band (Musikkapelle). Following the service, the traditional procession makes its way to the school courtyard, where the Gospel is proclaimed and prayers are offered, before returning to the church for the final blessing. It is a ritual that involves the entire community, featuring the band, the Schützenkompanie in traditional costume, and local groups.

The Schützenkompanie celebration

Once the religious services conclude, the Schützenkompanie Villnöß invites residents and visitors to a small outdoor celebration in the school courtyard. This is the most convivial moment of the day, featuring specialties of South Tyrolean farmhouse cuisine: Bauerngeröstel (sautéed farmhouse potatoes), lamb goulash with dumplings, sausages (Bratwurst) with fries, as well as coffee and Krapfen pastries. It is a simple, authentic opportunity to savor the flavors of the valley and experience the atmosphere of a genuine mountain village festival.

Useful information

• Where: St. Peter, parish church and school courtyard, Municipality of Funes/Villnöß (BZ)
• When: Late June, near the feast of Saints Peter and Paul
• Admission: Free
• For families: An event suitable for everyone, set in a peaceful environment at the foot of the Dolomites