“Herz Jesu Sonntag”

Every year in June - and this year on June 01 - huge fires are illuminating the summits and peaks of South Tyrol’s mountains. This is the day when South Tyrol is honouring the heart of Jesus and remembering its fatherland for both religious and political reasons.

Because once in the past South Tyrol belonged to the Austrian province of Tyrol and when in 1797 Napoleon was occupying Austria the Tyroleans swore eternal devotion to the heart of Jesus if only they would defeat Napoleon. The battle was won by the Tyroleans indeed and from now on every year on a special day in June they remembered their solemn vow to the heart of Jesus.

The day is called “Herz Jesu Sonntag”, Sunday dedicated to the heart of Jesus, and still today the Tyroleans honour Jesus by kindling big fires on the top of their mountains.