Feast of Patron Saints Fabian and Sebastian

The patronal festival of Zumaglia

The Feast of Patron Saints Fabian and Sebastian is the most heartfelt religious and civic event in Zumaglia, a small town in the Province of Biella, in Piedmont. Every year, around January 20th—the day the liturgy commemorates the two martyr saints—the community gathers to honor its patrons with a celebration that blends faith, tradition, and a sense of belonging to the town.

A day of community

The heart of the festival is the Solemn Mass celebrated in the parish church named after Saints Fabian and Sebastian, on Via XXV Aprile. It is a well-attended event with a warm, family atmosphere, joined by citizens, the Municipal Administration, and local associations. As described by the local Biella press over the years, the day is characterized as "solemn yet intimate," an image that perfectly captures the spirit of a small village where everyone knows each other.

Fabian and Sebastian, the two martyrs

Saints Fabian and Sebastian are commemorated together on January 20th: Fabian was Pope and died a martyr in Rome in the 3rd century, while Sebastian is among the most celebrated martyrs of the Christian tradition. The parish of Zumaglia is dedicated to them, a sign of a deep-rooted devotion that gives its name to the town's patronal festival.

Zumaglia and its territory

Zumaglia rises on the hills of Biella and is dominated by the ancient castle, which stands on the local "brich" (hill). The municipal territory, which includes the hamlets of Contornina, Masseria, Selletta, and Uberti, is partially included in the Baragge nature reserve, rich in trails and nature. The patronal festival is also an opportunity, in the heart of winter, to rediscover this quiet corner of Piedmont and its community.