Castiglione Carnival

Carnival in the heart of the Anzasca Valley

The Castiglione Carnival is a festive celebration held in the hamlet of Castiglione (Castiglione d'Ossola), one of the oldest settlements in the municipality of Calasca-Castiglione, in the Anzasca Valley, in the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Piedmont. Along the historic Via del Monte Rosa, amidst stone houses and ancient mule tracks, the village gathers for a simple and heartfelt celebration that keeps the identity of an Alpine Ossola community alive.

A village tradition

The event is organized by the local committee and is part of the community calendar that, along with patronal feasts and religious rites, marks the social life of the hamlets of Calasca-Castiglione. In a territory where the hamlets still preserve customs and habits passed down through generations, the Carnival is a precious opportunity for gathering, especially in the heart of the mountain winter.

A convivial moment

The heart of the festival is the traditional gastronomic distribution, which is free and open to everyone. Highlights on the menu include:

• Polenta, the iconic dish of Piedmontese mountain cuisine;
• Salamini (small sausages) and mortadella, traditional cured meats;
• Local cheese, a true expression of the Ossola mountain pastures.

It is a convivial moment that brings together local residents and visitors over authentic flavors, in a cheerful Carnival atmosphere.

Castiglione, an ancient village

The hamlet of Castiglione is mentioned in documents dating back to the 13th century as part of the ancient community of Drocala, considered the first settlement in the Anzasca Valley. It preserves a large parish church dedicated to Saint Gotthard, dating back to the late 16th century. Visiting the Carnival is also a chance to discover an authentic corner of the Ossola region, at the foot of the Italian side of Monte Rosa.

Why attend

Far from the large city carnivals, the Castiglione Carnival offers the genuine atmosphere of a village festival, where gastronomic tradition and a sense of community are at the center. It is the ideal occasion for those who wish to experience the Piedmontese Carnival in its most authentic and mountain-focused dimension.