Südtirol Classic Schenna — Vintage Car Rally
The most celebrated vintage car rally in South Tyrol, known as «Die Rallye der Sympathie»
About Südtirol Classic Schenna
The iconic vintage car rally of South Tyrol
Since 1986, the Südtirol Classic Schenna has been the premier event for vintage car enthusiasts in South Tyrol. Every summer, the village of Schenna, nestled above Merano in the province of Bolzano, turns into a shimmering display of chrome, where Rolls Royces, Bentleys, Mercedes, Porsches, and roadsters from the 1920s to the 1980s parade along the region's most spectacular hairpin bends. This is not a high-speed race, but an event of elegance and regularity that has earned the affectionate nickname «Die Rallye der Sympathie» (the rally of sympathy).
Between Mediterranean valleys and Dolomite passes
What makes this event unique is the variety of the terrain: the route shifts from the sun-drenched, Mediterranean-style valleys around Merano, with their vineyards and orchards, to the enchanted forests of the plateau, and finally to the majestic, mystical world of the Dolomites. The routes cover some of South Tyrol's most legendary alpine passes—the Timmelsjoch, the Jaufen Pass, and the Würzjoch—and extend into Trentino along the Wine Road. Each day is designed to combine the pleasure of driving with an appreciation for the landscape, fine dining, and South Tyrolean hospitality.
An event that is also a village festival
The Südtirol Classic is not just for drivers: the center of Schenna and the Merano promenade become a stage for parades, welcome aperitifs, evenings at Schenna Castle, and award ceremonies in the elegant setting of the Kurhaus of Merano. The public can admire the cars up close, watch the departures, and soak in the nostalgic atmosphere of a rally that has become a staple of the Merano area's tourist calendar.
How to participate or attend
Registration for the rally is reserved for owners of vintage vehicles and is handled through the official Südtirol Classic Club website, with a limited number of crews admitted. For the public, access to the parades, departures, and events in the center of Schenna and on the Merano promenade is free of charge. The event traditionally takes place in July, with a second autumn version, the Golden Edition, dedicated to the mild colors of the South Tyrolean autumn.
Südtirol Classic Schenna — edition 2026
The 40th edition of the Südtirol Classic Schenna marked an important jubilee: forty years since the first edition in 1986. At the start, 110 crews were divided into classes from I (cars up to 1945) to III (up to 1985), with ten spots reserved for more recent cars. The week alternated between relaxed, non-timed stages in the first few days and regularity and skill tests in the second half, culminating in the grand gala at the Kurhaus of Merano.
Highlights of the jubilee: the big party in the center of Schenna with a live band, the retro Corso on the Merano promenade — with participants dressed in the style of their car's construction year — and the stages through the Timmelsjoch, Würzjoch, Jaufen Pass, and the Wine Road towards Trentino.
Programme Südtirol Classic Schenna 2026
Sunday, July 5 — Arrival and welcome
- Arrival of crews, welcome aperitif, and program presentation at Raiffeisenplatz, in the center of Schenna.
Monday, July 6 — Timmelsjoch Experience (~130 km)
- Schenna → San Martino → San Leonardo → Timmelsjoch Pass (2,509 m).
- Visit to the TOP Mountain Motorcycle Museum and lunch at the Feldererhof vineyard farm in Labers.
Tuesday, July 7 — Renon Plateau (~170 km)
- Schenna → Bolzano → Prato all'Isarco → Castel Presule → Val Sarentino → Verano → Avelengo → Schenna.
- Visit to the Renaissance castle and rustic lunch.
Wednesday, July 8 — Meraner Land Prologue (~50 km)
- Technical checks in the center of Schenna, driver briefing.
- Prologue through Lana, Tesimo, Nalles, Andriano, Terlano.
- Classic Welcome Evening at Schenna Castle and jubilee party with live band.
Thursday, July 9 — Dolomites (~250 km)
- Schenna → Bolzano → Bressanone → Würzjoch Pass (2,006 m) → Brunico → Falzes → Jaufen Pass (2,094 m) → San Leonardo.
- Village festival in Terento.
Friday, July 10 — Jubilee Parade in Merano (~40 km)
- Evening transfer to Merano and «40 Jahre Südtirol Classic Schenna» Parade on the promenade: parade in vintage attire, music, and flying buffet.
Saturday, July 11 — Wine Road (~180 km)
- Schenna → Caldaro → Castello di Fiemme → Cembra → Egna → Bolzano.
- Evening: Gala at the Kurhaus/Kursaal of Merano with awards ceremony and gala dinner.
Sunday, July 12 — Frühschoppen
- Traditional morning gathering at Raiffeisenplatz with beer tapping and live music.
Highlights Südtirol Classic Schenna 2026
Prices Südtirol Classic Schenna 2026
Practical information — Südtirol Classic Schenna
Where
Schenna (province of Bolzano, South Tyrol), above Merano. Main event hubs: Raiffeisenplatz in the village center and the Kurpromenade in Merano.
How to get there
By car: A22 motorway exit at Bolzano Sud, then the MeBo expressway towards Merano and the road to Schenna. By train: Merano station, then local bus to Schenna (approx. 15 minutes).
Participation
Crew registration via the official Südtirol Classic Club website (limited spots, vintage vehicles only). For spectators, access to parades and departures is free.
Contacts
Südtirol Classic Club, Erzherzog-Johann-Platz 1/D, 39017 Schenna — tel. +39 0473 945669 — [email protected] — www.suedtirolclassic.com
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Where does it take place — Südtirol Classic Schenna
Raiffeisenplatz / Piazza Raiffeisen
Erzherzog-Johann-Platz 1/D, 39017 Scena/Schenna