Klöckeln in Val Sarentino-Sarntal

Today you can reach Val Sarentino-Sarntal in a few minutes by car from Bolzano, but in the past it was very secluded, which is why many traditions that are now lost in other places could be kept alive here. One of these is the traditional “Klöckeln”.

In the evenings of Thursdays of advent mysterious disguised figures can be seen roaming around the village singing enigmatic chants. It’s a typical collection of alms from farm to farm: the men, because only men are allowed in this request, knock on the doors to ask for alms, mostly food and drinks – hence the name “klöckeln”, which means to knock in German).

It’s worth travelling to Sarentino-Sarntal to see this ancient ritual which is still fascinating today.