To the minnesinger Oswald von Wolkenstein is dedicated the biggest horseback riding festival in South Tyrol: the Oswald von Wolkenstein Riding Tournament. The poet and composer (1376 – 1445) was no physical-fitness buff, nor was he a member of the medieval horsey set. The horseback-riding tournament held in his honor is thus a reflection both of medieval traditions and the love of equestrian sports (centering on the Haflinger breed) which has survived in South Tyrol to this day. The contests are always held in places with some connection to Oswalds life.
South Tyrol is renowned for being one of the most important apple-growing areas in Europe. Why not come for a holiday in this special period and experience the colours of hundreds of fruit trees in full blossom? Red and white, as far as the eye can see... !
The king of jibing on stage at Red Bull Jib Ski Kings: this unique event will rock the world of freeskiing and see pros and amateurs competing against each other on the Alpe di Siusi.
In contrast to a usual freeski contest the Red Bull Jib Ski Kings will not take place within a park but on a normal ski slope. The contest is all about the most “natural” dimension of this discipline which will stimulate the rider’s creativity such as the irregularities of the soil, slope changes and natural rails.
The winner of the 6th Alto Adige Moonlight Classic Alpe di Siusi is Giovanni Gullo. The Italian skier completed the 20 km stretch with a total time of 0:43:13.4, and was followed by Petr Novak (0:43:16.5) and Viktor Novotny (0:43:15.9) in 2nd and 3rd place.
In the ladies’ race the winning time of 0:46:21.3 went to Barbara Antonelli. Marina Piller (0:46:20.7) arrived in second place, followed by Klara Moravcova (0:46:20.1).
Twelve bands and musicians of the alpine area meet in January 2012 for a special and extraordinary musical event in the holiday area Alpe di Siusi. Hot sounds and compelling beats resonate with trombones, bass, dulcimer, accordion. And the combinations are among the most diverse, such as sweet Swiss Hanottere accompanied by drums. The artists come from Germany, Austria. Italy, Switzerland, Slovenia, France and Great Britain.
The alphorn or alpenhorn or alpine horn is a labrophone, consisting of a natural wooden horn of conical bore, having a wooden cup-shaped mouthpiece, used by mountain dwellers in the alpine region.
The alphorn is carved from solid softwood, generally spruce but sometimes pine. In former times the alphorn maker would find a tree bent at the base in the shape of an alphorn, but modern makers piece the wood together at the base. A cup-shaped mouthpiece carved out of a block of hard wood is added and the instrument is complete.
Every week on Alpe di Siusi they play at a different hut.
Christmas Market from 3.12. until 4.12., from 8.12. until 11.12., from 16.12. until 18.12. and from 27.12. until 29.12.2011.
It gets visitors and locals alike into the mood for the most wonderful time of the year, an atmospheric light and promises warm and friendly moments in good company: Castelrotto Christmas Market.
Nestling around the splendid church, visitors are met by a colourful world of tempting scents and unique flavours. Unforgettable insights into traditional arts and handicrafts.
The “Kastelruther Spatzen” is the most successful band in the world of folk music.
36 albums, 13 Echos, 9 Crowns of the folk music: since 1983 these heroes of the folk music fill their numerous fans with enthusiasm about their music with songs like “Eine weiße Rose” (A white rose) or “Zufall oder Schicksal” (Coincidence or destiny).
Three times a year the “Kastelruther Spatzen” invite their fans for concerts in their home town. The Open Air in June, the “Kastelruther Spatzen”-Festival in October and the Christmas Concert are fixed dates in the calendar. At those times all friends of the folk music and, of course, the fans of the group around Norbert Rier have the possibility to experience their stars live.
The striking colours of autumn invite you to the tradition of "Törggelen", an entertaining get-together with the new wine, roasted chestnuts and many more delicacies.
22.09 - 03.10.2011
The week-long "Knödel & Knödel" Dumpling Festival can be regarded as a culinary monument to this, the most South Tyrolean of all dishes. Finally, dumplings are accorded the honor due them. Dumplings of all tastes, colors, and textures will figure prominently on the menus of all the restaurants which have organized this festival. Only the typical round shape of the dumplings is assured.
The herald of this week-long culinary pleasure is the Knödelfest in the town square of Castelrotto in August.
The Almabtrieb (German language literally: drive from the mountain pasture) is an annual event in the alpine regions in Europe, referring to a cow train in autumn.
During summer, all over the alpine regions cow herds feed on alpine pastures high up in the mountains. In autumn, these herds are led to their stables down in the valley, in the Almabtrieb cow train. In case there were no accidents during the summer, in many areas the cows are decorated elaborately, and the cow train is celebrated with music and dance events in the towns and villages.
28.08 - 11.09.2011
Strudel – whether with a sweet filling or a hearty one – is one of the most-tempting dishes which South Tyrolean cuisine has to offer. But all Strudels aren't the same: Depending upon the locality and individual family traditions, it is prepared differently. Every master chef uses special ingredients, chooses a different kind of dough, and thus ensures that "his" Strudel has a unique character. Actually, Strudel is always in season, but especially the autumn –with its bounty of summer-harvested fruits, berries, vegetables, and herbs – provides the wholesome, natural ingredients for the most-delicious variations of Strudel.
The "Strudel Feast" on September in Siusi allo Sciliar will be the highlight of the Strudel Festival.
Two days of feast, music and fun are on the programme on Friday and Saturday in the centre of Castelrotto. 5 against 5 is the motto for the "Riesenwuzzler" tournament: the human table football guarantees lots of fun. The Pamstiddn Kings, the Schlernsextett and The Quarrymen cater for musical entertainment.
Sometimes in the evening to the shopping road in Castelrotto you can see witches, they have a surprise for the children, varied candies. So our guest takes time for shopping.
People from all the world comes with his old fashioned tractors to the competition for old-timer tractor classic Alpe di Siusi with start in Castelrotto on 1.000 m and goes on Alpe di Siusi on 1.800 m.
The winner is who has the nearest time to the average time from the whole participants.
The Sacred-Heart of Jesus-Fire it’s a religious ceremony. In all of the top of the mountains or in big meadows you can see the fire lights, they remember on the war against Napoleon and the firenight in the year 1961 against the fascism regime in South Tyrol.
The people in South Tyrol make the fire every year (tree weeks after Pentecost).
From 2 to 23 July, the world's best marathon runners are once more on Europe's largest mountain pasture for training. The optimal altitude from 1.800 to 2.300 m leads the elite runners from Kenya, for the fifth time in a row, to the Alpe di Siusi. With two training sessions a day the runners prepare for the match season. Also marathon runners from Ethiopia and Switzerland join the top athletes from Kenya in the training.
On honours of the patron saint of the church, Peter and Paul, is on 26.06.2011 the fair from Castelrotto. There is a procession through the centre of Castelrotto. There the habitants and faithfuls wear their own traditional costume. So our guests get an impression of the tradition and the ceremonies.
Flower period on the Alpe di Siusi
With its lush flora, which is in full blossom between mid-June and mid-July, the Alpe di Siusi is one of the most prominent natural wonders of the Dolomites. Come to the Alpe di Siusi to discover the beautiful alpine meadows on many hikes.
On August 4th, 2010 we organised a hiking tour to the Alpe di Siusi: from Compatsch to the Hotel Panorama, the Hotel Punta d'Oro and from the Zallinger hut to Saltria.
On July 1st, 2010 we organised a hiking tour along the Friedrich August path, leaving from Passo Sella coming to the Sasso Piatto hut on the Giogo di Fassa, reaching Saltria.
