Every year, on the second Sunday after Corpus Christi, mountain fires are lit all across South Tyrol – a striking symbol of the deep bond with the homeland.
The custom dates back to the 19th century and is closely linked to the Sacred Heart vow of 1796. At that time, the Tyrolean estates gathered in Bolzano to discuss the threat posed by Napoleon’s French troops. The abbot of Stams, Sebastian Stöckl, called for Tyrol to be consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and for divine protection to be invoked. Since then, the vow has been renewed annually, accompanied by the glowing fires on mountains and hillsides.
The tradition of mountain fires itself has even older, medieval roots. In mid-June, at the summer solstice, the sun reaches its highest point and was once believed to hold special power. Fire symbolized healing, fertility, and blessing for people, animals, and nature. As early as pre-Christian times, solstice fires were lit on this longest day of the year, accompanied by fertility rituals. With Christianization, the custom was reshaped: the fires were lit in honor of saints and eventually transformed into the Sacred Heart Fires – still today an atmospheric highlight of South Tyrol’s annual calendar.
The custom dates back to the 19th century and is closely linked to the Sacred Heart vow of 1796. At that time, the Tyrolean estates gathered in Bolzano to discuss the threat posed by Napoleon’s French troops. The abbot of Stams, Sebastian Stöckl, called for Tyrol to be consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and for divine protection to be invoked. Since then, the vow has been renewed annually, accompanied by the glowing fires on mountains and hillsides.
The tradition of mountain fires itself has even older, medieval roots. In mid-June, at the summer solstice, the sun reaches its highest point and was once believed to hold special power. Fire symbolized healing, fertility, and blessing for people, animals, and nature. As early as pre-Christian times, solstice fires were lit on this longest day of the year, accompanied by fertility rituals. With Christianization, the custom was reshaped: the fires were lit in honor of saints and eventually transformed into the Sacred Heart Fires – still today an atmospheric highlight of South Tyrol’s annual calendar.
