The hamlet of San Valentino, with its little Church of St. Valentine, is the starting point for the traditional Castelrotto Country Wedding
Image gallery: San Valentino di Castelrotto
Just above Siusi allo Sciliar stand the houses and farms of San Valentino di Castelrotto (St. Valentin), a hamlet belonging to Castelrotto. At its centre is the Chapel of St. Valentine, from which you have a wonderful view of the Sciliar Massif. Guided tours of the church are regularly available in summer, as the small building dates back to the 12th century and contains wonderful frescoes.
You can reach the valley station of the Alpe di Siusi Cable Car in about 15 minutes on foot. In summer, it takes you to hiking trails and family-friendly destinations on Europe's largest high-altitude pasture. A visit at the start of summer is particularly lovely, when the alpine roses are in bloom. One path, the "Witches' Springs" adventure trail, tells the story of the witch Curandina and the Sciliar Witches, who were once blamed for the storms in the mountains.
When the snow falls, the Alpe di Siusi becomes a winter landscape with numerous ski slopes, extensive cross-country trails, winter hiking paths and five toboggan runs. It is during this season, specifically in January, that the Castelrotto Country Wedding takes place every other year.
The event re-enacts a wedding procession with historical folk costumes and magnificent horse-drawn sleighs. The procession begins in San Valentino and travels through the snow-covered landscape to Castelrotto, where the bridal couple and guests are welcomed for the wedding feast.
