From festivals to cattle drive in South Tyrol

Where history breathes and traditions live on

Bells echo through the valleys. Adorned cows are led down from the Alpine pastures in a festive procession. The cattle drive in South Tyrol is one of the high points of the mountain year – a captivating spectacle of centuries-old tradition. As the grand finale of the Alpine summer, the inhabitants of the valleys and villages celebrate the return of the animals from the lush high-altitude meadows. But South Tyrol’s cultural richness doesn’t stop there …

Harvest festival

South Tyrol celebrates in colour

The harvest festival in South Tyrol glows in the warm hues of autumn. Ornate harvest crowns float through village streets, carried by locals in traditional costume. Historic town squares become lively festival grounds, where the scent of regional specialities mingles with the sound of folk music.

More than a cattle drive: South Tyrol’s culture

Majestic castles and fortresses

Towering stone walls whisper ancient stories. Castles perch on steep cliffs. Fortresses preserve noble secrets. These are well worth a visit:

Presule/Prösels Castle with medieval banqueting halls
Tures/Taufers Castle and its treasured chambers
Neustift Abbey in baroque grandeur
Bruneck Castle

Lively museums and historic mines

Step back into past times:

The South Tyrolean Mining Museum invites you on a fascinating journey into the depths of the earth. You can experience the everyday life of the miners in walkable tunnels. The Folklore Museum in Dietenheim brings old traditions to life. The treasures of the mountains sparkle in the Teis Mineral Museum, while the Prettau Show Mine tells of hard labour underground. The magic of the Dolomites is revealed in the Three Peaks Nature Park Visitor Centre. Whether young or old, South Tyrol’s rich museum scene offers the perfect day out for everyone.

Cultural towns steeped in history

Bruneck, approx. 30 minutes by car from Sonnenberg, enchants visitors with medieval arcades now bustling with modern life. Brixen, the former bishop’s town, proudly displays its majestic churches. In Sterzing, grand merchant houses reflect the wealth of the Fugger era. Klausen, the artists’ town by the Isarco/Eisack river, inspires with its picture-perfect scenery, while Innichen radiates Alpine charm with its stunning church. From Christmas markets to the cattle drive – South Tyrol’s cultural calendar will surprise you!