Gailtaler Speckfest 2025: A festival of tradition and cuisine!

Gailtaler Speckfest 2025: A festival of tradition and cuisine!

The 31st Gailtaler Speckfest took place in Hermagor on June 8, 2025, which attracted a large number of visitors and is considered the culinary and social highlight of the region. Klick Kärnten reports that State Councilor Sara Schaar wanted to thank the farmers for their tireless efforts during the event. She emphasized how important their work is for the distinctiveness and quality of Gailtaler Speck and that they make a valuable contribution to environmental and climate protection and to strengthening the circular economy.

Provincial Councilor Sebastian Schuschnig also emphasized the importance of the bacon festival and noted that it represents tradition, food craftsmanship and authentic Carinthian cuisine. The event is backed by the Gailtaler Speck – Naturarena Kärnten association, whose chairman Johannes Smole praised the many volunteers and bacon farmers who contributed to the success of the festival.

The tradition of Gailtaler Speck

The Gailtaler Speck g. G. A. is a popular gourmet product that has been produced in the region for centuries. As Gailtaler Speck reports, its characteristic features are the red meat color and the snow-white fat as well as the taste of juniper, garlic and pepper. In the late Middle Ages, Gailtaler Speck was an essential part of the diet as it provided meat and fat all year round and was used to preserve meat.

Today, Gailtaler Speck is considered a traditional dish of the Gailtal region. It is produced using traditional methods: the meat is not pressed or injected, but rubbed by hand with salt, pepper, garlic and juniper, whereby the maturation gives the bacon a special, spicy note. There are five types of Gailtaler Speck:

• Gailtaler Seitenspeck
• Gailtaler Schinkenspeck
• Gailtaler Karreespeck
• Gailtaler Schulterspeck
• Gailtaler Bauchspeck

Gailtaler Speck is used in many ways, be it for snacks or in various recipes. It is available through direct sales, the farmers' market in Hermagor and on the Internet. There is also a bacon market every year on October 8th in Hermagor, where visitors have the opportunity to taste and buy bacon.

Protection and origin

Gailtaler Speck is one of five Austrian products with a protected geographical indication (PGI), which means that it is produced exclusively in the region according to established, traditional processes. According to BMLUK, Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 covers the protection of designations of origin and geographical indications for agricultural products. This regulation replaces the previous Regulation (EU) No. 1151/2012 and includes 17 currently protected Austrian names.

The registration and control of these protected geographical names is the responsibility of the Austrian Patent Office and the Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection. Protected designations guarantee that products come from a specific area and are produced according to defined manufacturing processes.

The Gailtaler Speckfest is not only a festival for gourmets, but also an important event that celebrates the tradition and culture of the region and the close connection between quality, origin and hospitality.