Feast of Saint John the Baptist – Patron Saint of Robecco sul Naviglio

A Patronal Feast Linked to Water

The Feast of Saint John the Baptist is the most cherished event of the year in Robecco sul Naviglio, an elegant village in the province of Milan overlooking the Naviglio Grande, in the heart of the Ticino Park. Saint John the Baptist is the patron saint of the town, and his feast traditionally falls on the first Sunday of September, unfolding over three days filled with religious, sporting, and entertainment moments.

The Ritual of the Lighthouse

The heart of Robecco's tradition is the ritual of the lighthouse, renewed in the parish church of Saint John the Baptist: a white cotton ball, suspended between two strings before the altar and topped with a cross and a palm, is set alight during the celebration, a symbolic gesture that links the community to the figure of the Baptist and his centuries of devotion.

The Cuccagna sul Naviglio

The most spectacular and photographed moment is the Cuccagna sul Naviglio: along via Ripa Naviglio, the famous greased pole suspended over the canal's water is set up. Competitors race to reach the top, almost always ending with a dive into the Naviglio Grande, to the applause of hundreds of spectators crowded on the banks. It's a classic of Lombard riverside village festivals, here presented with the unique charm of the historic waterway.

White Night, Funfair, and Fireworks

The festival opens on Saturday evening with the White Night, which changes theme each year and enlivens the historic center with shows, dance performances, exhibitions, children's activities, and themed entertainment along streets and squares. In Piazza Madre Teresa di Calcutta, the funfair operates for several days. On Sunday evening, the sky above the Naviglio lights up with the traditional fireworks, while the dinner under the marquee brings the entire community together.

Between Sport and Tradition

The program also includes the Strapasciata del Naviglio, a non-competitive race that crosses the village and its towpaths, and the liturgical celebrations on Monday in suffrage of the deceased. A festival that tells the soul of Robecco sul Naviglio and its history as a waterside town in the Milanese area.