Canestrello Festival / Feast of Saint Pancras

A festival born from a biscuit

The Canestrello Festival is one of the most deeply rooted traditions in Vaie, a town in the middle Susa Valley in the Province of Turin, in the heart of Piedmont. The undisputed star is the canestrello, a biscuit with a distinctive lattice pattern that has been baked here for centuries over an open flame in heavy cast-iron molds, especially during the patronal feast days. For generations, the aroma of this treat, tied to the devotion to Saint Pancras, has been the signal that spring has arrived with the town's festival.

Saint Pancras and the canestrello: an ancient bond

The event stems from the intertwining of the Feast of Saint Pancras, the patron saint of Vaie, and the gastronomic tradition of the canestrello. Around this dual heart—religious and popular—the village builds a calendar lasting several weeks: not just a single day of celebration, but a succession of initiatives involving the parish, local associations, the Pro Loco, schools, and the entire community.

What to experience during the festival

• Market exhibition of local gastronomic and artisanal products along the streets of the historic center.
• Live demonstrations of baking canestrelli in antique cast-iron molds and workshops to learn how to prepare them.
• The Golden Canestrello competition, dedicated to homemade versions, featuring categories such as the "Fantasy Canestrello" and the "Junior" division.
• The Vaiedipingi open-air painting competition and art exhibitions in the town's halls.
• Concerts by the Vaiese Philharmonic Society and the Musica Nuova Choral-Instrumental Group.
• The historical re-enactment of the martyrdom of Saint Pancras, one of the most deeply felt moments of the entire festival.

The Museum Laboratory of Prehistory

A unique highlight of the festival is the Museum Laboratory of Prehistory of Vaie, which stays open with extended hours during the main day: experimental archaeology reconstructions, exhibitions on local artifacts, and workshops make the festival an opportunity to discover the ancient roots of this corner of the Susa Valley. Between the market, music, flavors, and culture, the Canestrello Festival perfectly captures the identity of a small Piedmontese town that has turned its biscuit into a symbol.