Esaltazione della Santa Croce – Patrono di Vajont

The patron saint of a young town

Vajont is one of the youngest municipalities in Friuli Venezia Giulia, established in 1971 to welcome part of the community affected by the 1963 tragedy. Its parish church is dedicated to Jesus Crucified, and the patron saint festival is celebrated on September 14th, the day the Church commemorates the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. A choice that reflects the soul of the town and its connection to memory.

An ancient devotion to the Crucifix

The dedication of the parish church has its roots in the strong devotion to the Crucifix characteristic of the communities in the Vajont valley. Local history recalls processions with the famous Brustolon Crucifix to implore rain during droughts, sacred representations of the Passion, and numerous crucifixes – some damaged and recovered from the lake after the landslide – kept in homes and places of worship. It is a tradition that has transformed wood carving and the image of the Crucifix into an identity trait of the territory.

A festival between faith and community

The patron saint festival combines religious observance – with solemn celebrations in the parish church – with opportunities for the entire community to gather. It is an intimate and heartfelt event, far from large crowds but rich in meaning, where the town comes together around its roots and its history. In 2026, September 14th falls on a Monday, with festivities spread over the following days according to local customs.

Visiting Vajont

For those travelling through Valcellina and the memorial sites of Vajont, the patron saint festival is an opportunity to get to know a community marked by history and capable of looking forward. A stop in Vajont, perhaps combined with a visit to the sites of the tragedy and the landscapes of the Pordenone foothills, offers a profound understanding of a territory where faith, memory, and daily life intertwine.