Village Festival of Ortisei

The Village Festival of Ortisei takes place annually on the first Sunday after the 4th of July. The feast is dedicated to the patron saint and eponym of the parish church of Ortisei, Saint Ulrich. Saint Ulrich was appointed Bishop of Augsburg in 923 and helped the poor and sick. As Val Gardena was part of the Curia of Augsburg at that time, he was declared the patron saint of the village. According to Tyrolean custom, the church consecration festival is introduced with saluting bangs and bell ringing. The saluting bangs are loud acoustic signals that are fired in Tyrol to announce high occasions. The festival is celebrated with a Holy Mass at 9:00 am in the church of Ortisei. To celebrate the church consecration in a fitting manner, a parade with Val Gardena’s costumes and the music band of Ortisei will take place after the mass.