Chästeilet Justistal

Chästeilet in the Justis Valley

20 September 2024

Every year in September, the farmers of the Justis Valley come together for the Alpabzug, the day the cattle is brought back down to the valley from the summer pastures. In the idyllic valley of Sigriswil, in keeping with a century-old custom, farmers then share the alpine cheeses produced over the summer.

The traditional Chästeilet has been held on the Spycherberg in the Justis Valley above Lake Thun for almost 300 years. The custom is famous well beyond the borders of the canton itself. Over the summer the alpine farmers make their cheeses using the milk from more than 250 dairy cows. The cows themselves belong to the farmers from the municipality of Sigriswil. At the end of the summer, in keeping with a century-old ritual, the cheeses are then shared out among the farmers – hence the name Chästeilet, i.e. the dividing of the cheese. After the ceremony, you have the opportunity to admire the alpine dairy farmers dressed in their traditional costumes as they lead the procession of magnificently adorned cattle back down to the valley.

...

A festival marking the end of summer

...
Chästeilet Justistal
«Chästeilet» im Justistal
«Chästeilet» im Justistal
«Chästeilet» im Justistal