Traditional Gsieser Jahrmarkt: Gsiesa Marschtl

The traditional autumn market of Val Casies

The Gsiesa Marschtl (in German Traditioneller Gsieser Jahrmarkt) is the most anticipated annual market in Val Casies, located in the municipality of Valle di Casies/Gsies, in the heart of South Tyrol and the Autonomous Province of Bolzano. Every year, at the beginning of October, the village center of San Martino/St. Martin transforms into a lively meeting point that attracts both locals and visitors from across the Trentino-Alto Adige region.

Stalls, flavors, and tradition

From the morning, the village streets fill with stalls offering trendy fashion and authentic regional products. The air warms with the scent of roasted chestnuts from the street vendors, while the morning begins with a hearty Tyrolean breakfast featuring local specialties. It is a perfect opportunity to purchase handicrafts and typical local products while savoring the genuine hospitality of this side valley of the Puster Valley.

The cattle drive: the highlight

The heart of the event is the afternoon parade featuring the Almabtrieb, the traditional autumn cattle drive: the cows, adorned with crowns, cowbells, and flowers, descend from the mountain pastures and parade through the village streets. This ancient ritual marks the end of the alpine grazing season and is one of the most evocative spectacles of the South Tyrolean autumn, captivating both young and old.

Music and village atmosphere

The day is accompanied by musical entertainment, with bands alternating between traditional Tyrolean sounds and more modern rhythms. The event is organized by the local brass band, the Pater-Haspinger-Musikkapelle, and represents a defining moment for the entire Val Casies community, blending folklore, gastronomy, and the popular traditions of the Dolomites.

Autumn in Val Casies

The Gsiesa Marschtl is part of the calendar of events that animate Val Casies during autumn, the season of colors, scents, and flavors in this quiet side valley of the Puster Valley. Attending the market means experiencing an authentic atmosphere, far from the most crowded tourist routes, immersed in the landscape of the Dolomites and the South Tyrolean culture defined by farming life, brass band music, and genuine hospitality.