Vinschger Palabira Tage (Pala Pear Festival)

The Pala Pear Days in Glorenza

The Vinschger Palabira Tage (in English Pala Pear Days) are the autumn highlight that brings Glorenza/Glurns—the smallest town in South Tyrol, nestled in the upper Vinschgau Valley—to life every September. For about two weeks, the entire medieval village, with its perfectly preserved walls and iconic towers, transforms into a stage dedicated to the Palabirne, an ancient and rustic pear variety typical of the valley.

The Palabirne, a treasure of the Vinschgau Valley

The Palabirne is a pear with rough, leathery skin and a grainy flesh, boasting an intense aroma reminiscent of caramel and cinnamon. Historically, it was primarily dried and used in traditional Christmas pastries, and in times of hardship, it even served as a coffee substitute. The festival was established to showcase this iconic fruit, now a symbol of Vinschgau's rural culture, and to rediscover its culinary potential.

A diverse program of markets, culture, and gastronomy

The event is not just a single day, but a widespread calendar of appointments throughout September:

• Themed market under the arcades: fresh Palabira pears and derivative products—jams, preserves, liqueurs, and baked goods.
• Mountain agriculture festival: screenings, round tables with agricultural experts, music, and regional cuisine.
• Poetic sunrise hike (Morgenerwachen): a guided walk with a poetic perspective on the end of summer, meeting in the historic center.
• Glurns Cooks: the small town becomes a culinary stage, with chefs presenting creative dishes based on the Pala pear.
• Palabirasunnta: the harvest Sunday, the emotional heart of the festival.

The Palabirasunnta, the harvest Sunday

The highlight is the Palabirasunnta, the thanksgiving Sunday for the harvest. After Holy Mass and the procession through the streets of the center, the community gathers in the festival area to celebrate together with traditional specialties like Palabira-Greascht and Palabirnen-Schmarren, music, children's entertainment, and a market. The event has been organized for years with the involvement of the Glorenza Volunteer Fire Department.

Glorenza, the walled jewel of South Tyrol

Visiting the Palabira Tage is also the perfect opportunity to discover Glorenza, one of the most charming villages in the Alps. Remaining almost unchanged since the 16th century, the town preserves its complete city walls, three gate towers, and the famous Logge (arcades), the ancient commercial heart of the town. The event is promoted by Glurns Marketing, in collaboration with the agricultural and cultural entities of the Vinschgau Valley, in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, Trentino-South Tyrol.