August Festival - San Lorenzo Patronal Feast

The patronal feast of a mountain hamlet

The San Lorenzo Patronal Feast is the most important annual event for the small hamlet of San Lorenzo di Valdieri, located in the heart of the Gesso Valley within the municipality of Valdieri, in the Province of Cuneo (Piedmont). Dedicated to Saint Lawrence the Martyr, the patron saint of the village, the festival takes place around August 10th, the saint's liturgical day, and serves as a moment for the community—both permanent residents and summer visitors—to reconnect with their traditions.

Between the sacred and the convivial

The festival has a dual soul, typical of Piedmontese mountain patronal feasts. On one hand, there is the religious dimension, with evening mass accompanied by a children's choir and the traditional torchlight procession that illuminates the village streets; on the other, the convivial side, centered on good food and outdoor games.

The signature dish of the event is the Tagliatelle Festival, served as a set menu on Sunday: a perfect opportunity to enjoy home-style valley cooking in good company. Over the years, the festival has also featured gnocchi and other local specialties, all prepared by volunteers.

Games, community, and solidarity

Sunday afternoon is dedicated to popular entertainment: games for adults and children, the traditional 'guess the weight of the basket' contest, and social moments that bring the hamlet to life. The festival is organized by the Circolo Acli San Lorenzo e Desertetto Aps, in collaboration with the Valle Gesso Pastoral Unit, the Municipality of Valdieri, and the Friends of the Madonna del Colletto Sanctuary Association.

An important aspect is the charitable purpose: proceeds from the festival contribute to the maintenance of local churches, the upkeep of the community center, and beautification projects in the hamlets of San Lorenzo and Desertetto.

A territory to discover

The festival is also an opportunity to explore the territory of the Municipality of Valdieri, the gateway to the Maritime Alps Natural Park. With its hiking trails, the nearby Madonna del Colletto Sanctuary, and the landscapes of the Gesso Valley, San Lorenzo di Valdieri offers visitors an authentic taste of the Cuneo mountains, far from mass tourism.