Location: Laze, Matajur, 33040 Savogna/Sovodnja (UD) | Rifugio Pelizzo
From Friday, September 4 through Sunday, September 6, 2026, Mount Matajur welcomes you back, as it does every year, for the Mountain Festival, celebrating its 50th edition this year.
PROGRAM
Friday, September 4
- Lecture: “Mountains, Borders and Frontiers Across the Alps, from West to East: From Mount Saccarello to Mount Matajur” - presented by dott. Annibale Salsa
- The concept of mountains as both borders and frontiers is explored across the Alpine arc, from Mount Saccarello in the west to Mount Matajur in the east. The lecture examines the transformation of the mountains from a space of movement and shared identity into a line of political division. Anthropologist Annibale Salsa explores this Alpine landscape as a cultural mosaic shaped by human activity and history.
- Time: 6:00 PM
- Location: Festival tent at Rifugio Pelizzo
Saturday, September 5
- Sport Climbing Wall
- Organized by the Montenero Section of the CAI of Cividale del Friuli. Open to anyone interested in trying sport climbing, with support from instructors from the CAI School of Mountaineering and Ski Mountaineering.
- Time: From 9:00 AM onward
- Location: Near Rifugio Pelizzo.
- Theatrical Reading: “Women Toward the Summit” featuring actress Marta Riservato
- A selection of readings featuring women who, for many different reasons, have challenged themselves in the high mountains: porters, mountaineers, tightrope walkers, athletes, and more.
- Time: 4:00 PM
- Location: Festival tent at Rifugio Pelizzo
- Concert by the “Archi dei Patriarchi” Orchestra Ensemble
- The ensemble performs classical and Baroque music and features soprano Francesca Gambara, baritone Lorenzo Budin, guitarist Giulio Chiandetti, violist Matteo Macoratti, and lead violinist Tiziano Michielin. Conducted by Riccardo Gambigliani Zoccoli.
- Time: 6:00 PM
- Location: Festival tent at Rifugio Pelizzo.
- Book Presentation: “Nel cuore dei Boschi” with co-author Giulia Zanuttigh
- Ten itineraries exploring the monumental trees of Friuli Venezia Giulia
- Time: 7:30 PM
- Location: Festival tent at Rifugio Pelizzo.
- Astronomy Photography Contest: "Nebulose dal Matajur"
- Organized by Matajur Astrolab and DMO Turismo Benečija. Free admission. On Sunday, September 6 at 10:30 AM, a jury will select the three winning photographs. The winners will receive baskets of local products from the Natisone Valleys, with additional prizes donated by Rifugio Pelizzo. Photographs taken during the evening will later be featured in an exhibition in San Pietro al Natisone.
- Time: 9:00 PM
- Location: Festival tent at Rifugio Pelizzo.
Sunday, September 6
- Sport Climbing Wall
- Organized by the Montenero Section of the CAI of Cividale del Friuli. Open to anyone interested in trying sport climbing, with support from instructors from the CAI School of Mountaineering and Ski Mountaineering.
- Time: From 9:00 AM onward
- Location: Near Rifugio Pelizzo.
- Kids' activities
- Children can fly kites, discover the flora and fauna of Mount Matajur, draw and color, and listen to short, simple stories about life on Matajur. Organized by Planinska družina Benečije.
- Time: From 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
- Location: Dom na Matajure.
- G-astronomical Market
- A small market showcasing local specialties, along with astronomy equipment and materials. Organized by Matajur Astrolab and DMO Turismo Benečija.
- Time: from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Location: Near Rifugio Pelizzo.
- “Nebulose dal Matajur” Astronomy Photography Contest – Awards Ceremony
- Presentation of the three winning photographs. Organized by ASTROLAB, with the support of DMO Turismo Benečija.
- Time: 10:30 AM
- Location: Festival tent at Rifugio Pelizzo.
- Traditional Choral Mass on the Summit of Mount Matajur
- The Mass will feature performances by the CAI Cividale and Planinska Roža choirs.
- Time: 12:30 PM
- Location: Summit of Mount Matajur.
- Classical and Traditional Folk Music in Nature
- The Matika Duet, featuring cello and accordion, will perform alongside Caterina Pontrandolfo in a blend of classical and traditional folk music, exploring the role of music in shaping personal and cultural identity.
- Time: 1:00 PM
- Location: Dom na Matajure.
- Little Astronomers for a Day | Astronomy for Kids
- A one-hour educational experience introducing children to the basics of astronomy, followed by a guided observation of celestial objects using specialized equipment. Organized by Matajur Astrolab, with the support of DMO Turismo Benečija.
- Time: 5:00 PM
- Location: Festival tent at Rifugio Pelizzo.
- Hikes and Walks – Sunday, September 6:
- E-bike Excursion – Associazione Vallimpiadi. Meet at 8:30 AM at Birreria Gjulia in San Pietro al Natisone. Departure is at 9:30 AM, with two different routes available.
- CAI Val Natisone – Guided Hikes. CAI Val Natisone will offer three different hikes led by authorized guides: 7:00 AM: The most challenging hike departs from the bell tower in San Pietro al Natisone and follows Trail 749, the “Renato Qualizza” Trail, for approximately five hours. 9:30 AM: Departure of the youth group from Rifugio Pelizzo. 10:00 AM: Departure of the senior group from Rifugio Pelizzo.
- Three Municipalities Trail – Pot treh kamunov. At 8:00 AM, Planinska družina Benečije will lead a hike along the “Sentiero dei 3 Comuni – Pot treh kamunov”, departing from Rifugio Pelizzo.
- Nature Hike to the Summit. At 9:30 AM, the Montenero Section of CAI Cividale del Friuli will lead a guided nature hike along CAI Trails 750, 749, and 736 to the summit. Along the way, participants will learn about the area’s natural features, including its flora and fauna, geology, and the gradual abandonment of traditional meadows and grazing lands. Guide: CAI Nature Guide Giulia Zanuttigh
- Historical Hike – Following Rommel’s Route. At 9:30 AM, Pro Loco Nediške Doline will lead a historical hike departing from Rifugio Pelizzo and following the route taken by Erwin Rommel during his advance on October 26, 1917.
