Culture & Tradition
The old witness - A culture expedition
dairyman at work in a meadow
Music band from Kiens playing music in front of a barn | © Martina_Hofer
Schöneck Castle in summer | © TV Kiens_Georg Tappeiner
Schöneck Castle in summer | © TV Kiens_Georg Tappeiner
On a journey of discovery
C
Culture & Tradition in Chienes

The community of Chienes-Kiens, including the villages of Masi-Hofern, S. Sigismondo-St. Sigmund, Casteldarne-Ehrenburg, and village of Chienes itself, spaciously extends across the landscape consisting of gentle meadows and hills densely covered with conifers.  Since every location has its own very personal contemporary witnesses, those who want to experience them all will need to move around a little.

A cozy hike leads to Casteldarne, a village of a thousand inhabitants that got its name from its highlight, Casteldarne-Ehrenburg Castle, which solemnly towers up over its hill.  Those who arrive in the tranquil village of Masi will encounter Schöneck Castle, the birthplace of the troubadour Oswald von Wolkenstein.  

In order to spend some time at the admirable edifices and then to continue our tour, we then hike to S. Sigismondo, where the parish church with the late Gothic appearance also tells an old tale. The winged altar is of importance that ranges beyond the region, as it is the oldest completely preserved carved altar in all of Tyrol.

Music band at the concert in the association hall
Music band at the concert in the association hall
Moving away from the sacred and back to the worldly
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Festivals & Customs

As far as festivals and festivities are concerned, the culture is always very present in Chienes – in the form of traditional costumes, village bands, and hearty rustic food. Whoever wants to live on the sunny side of life, or at least the sunny side of the Val Pusteria-Pustertal valley, has every reason to celebrate, so in Chienes it’s three cheers for tradition!

During the church festivals in St. Sigmund/S. Sigismondo, Hofern/Corti and Kiens/Chienes, the mannequin "Michl" is hung up and auctioned off, with the proceeds going to charity. He only gets to watch the merry, boisterous hustle and bustle from above. But he’s usually holding a bottle in his hand, and not just out of thirst!

Herb garden from Bergila
The powers of herbs
Local products of Chienes

In the middle of the mountains, in the midst of greenery, close to the shimmering Laghetto d’Issengo-Issinger Weiher, thousands of colorful herbs spread their scent over broad, carefully tended expanses. At Bergila, top-quality products are made from local herbs from the mountains and meadows, and pine oil is also distilled. Ointments and tinctures, teas and natural cosmetics, essential oils and schnapps – all of it is made from inspected organic cultivation.

But this is only one of the producers of local products in Chienes.

Learn more
Kiens/Chienes
parish church St. Petrus and Paulus
Open
closed
Churches, chapels, religious centres
Bruneck and surroundings
Messner Mountain Museum Corones
Open
closed
Museums and exhibitions
Kiens/Chienes
The milestone of Ehrenburg/Casteldarne
Monuments, natural monuments
San Vigilio - San Martin
Owl Park San Vigilio
Parks
Kiens/Chienes
The Ragglmoos wetlands
Monuments, natural monuments
Kiens/Chienes
Biotope Ilstern/Ilistra
Monuments, natural monuments
Kiens/Chienes
Parish church in St. Sigmund
Open
closed
Churches, chapels, religious centres
Kiens/Chienes
parish church St. Martin in Hofern
Churches, chapels, religious centres
Kronplatz
Concordia 2000
Viewpoints