The chestnut is also celebrated publicly, with events ranging from one-day festivals to culinary autumn weeks
Image gallery: Toerggele Events
Here is a brief selection of events in South Tyrol dedicated to Toerggelen, wine, and chestnuts:
- Gassltörggelen in Chiusa:
In September, the artists' town of Chiusa transforms into an open-air Toerggele parlour. For one weekend, gastronomic stalls are set up serving delicacies such as dumplings, homemade sausages, cured pork with sauerkraut, sweet Krapfen, and roasted chestnuts. This is accompanied by the best white wines from the Valle Isarco and live music. The Toerggele Queen is crowned every two years - with the next coronation taking place in 2027.
- Valle Isarco Chestnut Weeks:
From mid-October to early November, 12 participating restaurants from Novacella to Laion demonstrate - as they have for over two decades - that the chestnut is also perfectly suited for fine dining. Expect creative autumn cuisine and an alternative to traditional Toerggelen with delicious starters, main courses, and desserts, ideally combined with the South Tyrolean Chestnut Trail.
- "Keschtnigl" Chestnut Weeks in Velturno:
In Velturno and along the "Keschtnweg", the Chestnut Trail, the "Keschtnigl" weeks have been held for three weeks since 1997, featuring the "Niglsunntig", vertical tastings, a food mile, and hikes. An impressive 3,300 chestnut trees line the village in the Valle Isarco valley.
While the word "Keschtnigl" refers to the chestnut husk, the "Keschtnriggl" is a shaking basket woven from chestnut wood. During the Toerggele Days in Lana, Foiana, and Tesimo, local gastronomy comes up with many ideas revolving around chestnuts from mid to late October. There are also hikes through the autumnal forests and, as a highlight, a "Keschtnfestl" party.
- Toerggele Days in Termeno:
A weekend in early October is dedicated to Toerggelen in Termeno on the Wine Road. It is one of the oldest and most authentic Toerggele festivals in South Tyrol: Specialties from the grill, Krapfen, and roasted chestnuts are served at the covered festival ground. Local top wines accompany the food, along with folk music and performances on both evenings. A free shuttle bus from Caldaro, San Giuseppe al Lago, Cortaccia, and Ora makes getting there (and celebrating) easier.
- Toerggele afternoons in Scena:
In October, the weekly Toerggele afternoons on the Raiffeisen Square in Scena are the highlight of the Toerggele season, the "fifth season" in the Merano area. Roasted chestnuts and "Suser" (new wine) are tasted there in convivial company. Guided Toerggele hikes round off the programme.
- Toerggele Festival in Naturno:
Every Wednesday in October, locals and guests gather for traditional Toerggelen at the village fountain of Naturno. The crowning highlight is the Toerggele Festival. It begins in the morning and serves traditional dishes, roasted chestnuts, and new wine on the Town Hall square. Entry is free.
In Lasa, the marble village in the Val Venosta, everything revolves around white cabbage and the creative dishes made from it for two weeks in October and November. Participating restaurants serve not only cabbage specialities but also Toerggelen, where sauerkraut is an essential ingredient. Furthermore, there is a Toerggele Sunday, a harvest festival and the popular October Market in the market square.
