Co-Patronal Feast of Saint James the Greater and Alpini Festival

The co-patronal feast in the village of Val Mastallone

Every summer, the municipality of Fobello, a jewel of the Upper Valsesia nestled in the Val Mastallone in the province of Vercelli, pauses to honor Saint James the Greater, the village's co-patron. The liturgical anniversary falls on July 25th, but in 2026 the festivities will be concentrated into one big day, Sunday, July 26th, when the Co-Patronal Feast is joined by the heartfelt Alpini Festival. The heart of the celebrations is the Parish Church of Saint James the Greater, a historic building erected in the 16th century that houses a precious 16th-century triptych depicting the Madonna and Child with Saints.

Tradition, faith, and mountain identity

In Fobello, the patronal feast is not just a religious moment: it is a reaffirmation of valley identity. During the most solemn days, the village dresses up for the occasion, houses along the procession route are decorated with drapes, flowers, and garlands, and pride in the Valsesian costume and puncetto—the needle lace that has made the village famous throughout the Valsesia—re-emerges. The solemn Holy Mass in the parish church remains the central moment of the day, accompanied by the devotion of a community that carefully guards its traditions.

The Alpini, the soul of the village

The combination with the Alpini Festival gives the day a convivial and popular flavor. The 'black feathers' (Alpini), deeply rooted in the mountain villages of Piedmont, enliven the village with their spirit of service and fraternity, through commemorative moments, gatherings, and conviviality that involve both locals and visitors. It is an opportunity to discover an authentic corner of the Upper Valsesia, far from the most crowded destinations, where mountains, faith, and community memory merge into a single festival.

A village to discover

Fobello is an ideal starting point for excursions in the Val Mastallone and is also worth a visit for its architectural heritage and the cultural initiatives that enliven the summer calendar, from Puncetto Day to historical costume re-enactments. The Saint James Festival represents one of the most defining moments of the Fobello year, an invitation to experience the Piedmontese mountains in their most genuine and welcoming dimension.