FAI Spring Days in Boccioleto

FAI Spring Days in Boccioleto

Every spring, FAI (the National Trust for Italy) opens hundreds of extraordinary sites across Italy to the public for two days. In Valsesia, the spotlight turns to Boccioleto, a village of just over 280 residents nestled in the Val Sermenza, in the province of Vercelli. Here, the FAI Valsesia Group leads visitors on a journey to discover a heritage of sacred art and Alpine traditions rarely accessible to the general public.

The Four Treasures

During the event, four sites within the municipality of Boccioleto are opened:

• Parish Church of Saints Peter and Paul (Via Roma), the religious heart of the village;
• Oratory of the Annunciation (Via Zali), a treasure trove of devotional frescoes;
• Oratory of Saint Pantaleon, in the picturesque hamlet of Oro, overlooking the valley slopes;
• Il Gesietto, the Chapel of Our Lady of Loreto in the Moline area, a small 16th-century architectural gem with an octagonal turret and frescoes depicting the Passion of Christ.

The Stories of the Apprentice Ciceros

The true value of these tours lies in the voices that guide them: the Apprendisti Ciceroni, high school students from the area—specifically from the Liceo Ferrari in Borgosesia—who lead visitors through the frescoes, architecture, and local curiosities. In Boccioleto, their narrative also covers the historic wash-houses and the legacy of local figures such as sculptor Giuseppe Maria Sartorio and painter Giovanni Battista Zali.

Why Visit Boccioleto

Regarded as one of the most characteristic villages in Valsesia, Boccioleto preserves a heritage of frescoes, oratories, and votive chapels that bear witness to the deep religious devotion of the Walser and Alpine communities. Participating in the FAI Days means actively supporting the preservation of this heritage: all proceeds from donations are contributed to the Foundation's mission. A day in Val Sermenza, surrounded by nature, art, and history, remains one of the most beloved cultural events in the province of Vercelli and the entire Piedmont region.