Introduction
Alto Adige is a bridge between Italy and Central Europe, where IGP Speck and apple strudel are savored among traditional farmhouses and castles.
The area boasts 4 protected-designation products and 4 dishes of the local tradition and 1 UNESCO heritage sites.
Upcoming Events & Festivals
Here are the upcoming events in Alto Adige:
Recurring Events
These events take place every year in Alto Adige:
Mercatini di Natale di Bolzano
Novembre-GennaioBolzano · Dal 1991
Il più antico e famoso mercatino di Natale d'Italia.
Merano WineFestival
NovembreMerano · Dal 1992
Evento enogastronomico di eccellenza con produttori da tutta Italia.
Speckfest
OttobreVal di Funes
Festa dello Speck Alto Adige IGP con degustazioni e musica tradizionale.
Festa dell'Uva di Merano
OttobreMerano · Dal 1886
Storica sfilata con carri decorati d'uva e festa del raccolto.
PDO, PGI and local products
The protected-designation products of Alto Adige represent the excellence of the area:
Lightly smoked and cured ham seasoned with alpine herbs, a symbol of South Tyrol.
Apples cultivated in the Adige Valley and Venosta Valley, Europe's leading apple-producing region.
High-altitude white wines: Gewürztraminer, Pinot Bianco, Lagrein.
A lean grey cheese from the Vizze Valley, a Tyrolean farming tradition.
What to eat in Alto Adige
Half-moon shaped pasta parcels filled with spinach and ricotta, the quintessential Tyrolean dish.
A shredded sweet pancake dusted with powdered sugar and topped with cranberry jam.
Pan-fried potatoes and meat, a traditional Tyrolean comfort food with rustic roots.
A South Tyrolean Christmas cake made with dried fruits, walnuts, and spices.
Traditions & Culture
Italy's oldest Christmas market, held in Piazza Walther since 1991.
An autumn tradition of walking through vineyards and stopping at mountain farmhouses for chestnuts and new wine.
A parade of Krampus demons on the night of December 5th, a pre-Christian Alpine tradition.
UNESCO Heritage
The Dolomitic mountain ranges of Alto Adige, among the most spectacular mountain landscapes in the world.
Nature Parks & Protected Areas
An iconic Dolomitic landscape featuring the Odle massif, a symbol of Alto Adige.
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo, among the most photographed mountains in the world.
The distinctive silhouette of Sciliar and the red Catinaccio peaks at sunset.
Historical Figures
A 5,300-year-old mummy discovered in the Similaun glacier in 1991, now preserved in Bolzano.
The greatest alpinist in history, born in Bressanone, and the first person to climb all 14 eight-thousanders.
Local Communities
The festivals and events in Alto Adige are organized by Pro Loco associations and local groups that safeguard the area's traditions:
Curiosities
“Ötzi, the 5,300-year-old mummy from the Similaun glacier, is preserved at the Bolzano Archaeological Museum.”
“Alto Adige produces 10% of Europe's apples and is the continent's largest apple-growing region.”
“Reinhold Messner, born in Bressanone, was the first person to climb all 14 eight-thousanders without supplemental oxygen.”
“Bolzano's Christmas market is Italy's oldest (since 1991) and attracts over 1 million visitors annually.”
Frequently Asked Questions
1Which PDO and PGI products can be found in Alto Adige?expand_more
Alto Adige is home to 4 protected designation products, including: Speck Alto Adige (PGI), Mela Alto Adige (PGI), Alto Adige Südtirol (DOC), and Graukäse (Slow Food Presidium).
2What should I eat in Alto Adige?expand_more
Typical Alto Adige dishes include: Schlutzkrapfen (mezzelune), Kaiserschmarrn, Gröstl, and Zelten. Each dish tells the story of the region's gastronomic heritage.
3What UNESCO World Heritage Sites are in Alto Adige?expand_more
Alto Adige is home to 1 UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Dolomites (Natural, 2009).
4What are the most famous festivals in Alto Adige?expand_more
Major festivals and events in Alto Adige include: Mercatini di Natale di Bolzano (Bolzano, November-January); Merano WineFestival (Merano, November); Speckfest (Val di Funes, October); and Merano Grape Festival (Merano, October).
5What natural parks are in Alto Adige?expand_more
Protected natural areas in Alto Adige include: Parco Naturale Puez-Odle (Nature Park), Parco Naturale Tre Cime (Nature Park), and Parco Naturale dello Sciliar-Catinaccio (Nature Park).
6Who organizes festivals in Alto Adige?expand_more
Festivals in Alto Adige are organized by local communities such as the Consorzio Speck Alto Adige and Pro Loco Merano. These local organizations are the guardians of the region's gastronomic traditions.