Traditional Holy Name of Mary Feast with Procession (Maria Namen Feier)

A tradition born from a 1799 vow

The Traditional Holy Name of Mary Feast — known in German as Maria Namen Feier — is one of the most deeply felt religious celebrations in Silandro (Schlanders), the main town of Val Venosta, in the province of Bolzano, located in the heart of the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region. Its roots date back to 1799, when the Schützen companies of Silandro and Corces (Kortsch), facing the threat of advancing Napoleonic troops, entrusted themselves to the venerated image of the Madonna kept in the parish church. They vowed to carry her in a solemn procession through the village every year if they were spared. The danger passed, and for over two centuries, that vow has been renewed every second Sunday of September.

The procession and the statue of the Madonna

The highlight of the day is the solemn mass at the parish church of Maria Assunta, followed by the votive procession. The Marian statue, "Unsere Liebe Frau am Rain" (Our Lady of the Field), is lowered from the high altar and carried on shoulders through the streets of Silandro. The religious pageant is accompanied by the parish choir, the Silandro brass band, the Corces brass band, altar servers, first communion children, local association delegations, and above all, the Schützen in traditional costume, who mark the procession's passage with their customary ceremonial salutes.

The garden party at the Matscher Au

Once the religious ceremonies conclude, the day continues in a festive atmosphere: the Silandro brass band provides the soundtrack for the garden party (Gartenfest) at the Matscher Au, featuring music, South Tyrolean culinary specialties, and a chance for the entire community to gather. It is the convivial side of an event that blends faith, historical memory, and local identity.

Tradition, community, and Val Venosta

The Maria Namen Feier is a living example of Südtirol culture, where ancient Marian devotions, Schützen companies, and brass bands continue to define the rhythm of mountain life. In Silandro, the main hub of Val Venosta, this feast attracts the faithful, curious onlookers, and visitors alike who wish to witness an authentic, non-touristy procession rooted in over two centuries of history.

• Municipality: Silandro/Schlanders (Val Venosta)
• Province: Bolzano, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol
• When: The second Sunday of September
• Origin: 1799 Schützen vow