Festa Patronale di San Bartolomeo a Colere

Saint Bartholomew, patron saint of Colere

Nestled at the foot of the Presolana, in the heart of Val di Scalve, the Municipality of Colere (Province of Bergamo) dedicates its most heartfelt festival to Saint Bartholomew the Apostle, celebrated on August 24th. It is the occasion that brings the entire mountain community together around the parish church, on a day that intertwines religious devotion and popular tradition.

The procession with the wooden statue

The central moment is the afternoon procession, around 3:00 PM, during which the precious wooden statue of Saint Bartholomew is carried on shoulders along the village streets. A unique feature of Colere: the procession route alternates each year between the two historic districts of the village, so that the honor of hosting the saint passes from one to the other in turn. Since the post-war period, tradition dictates that the procession be accompanied by powerful firecrackers, a sign of celebration and ancient devotion.

Masses and the day

The liturgical celebrations mark the entire day, with holy masses at 8:00 AM, 10:30 AM, and 6:00 PM. A small fair takes place in the spaces of the oratory and the square in front, serving as a meeting point for residents and for those who come up to the valley for the occasion.

The Saint Bartholomew cake

The festival also has its own signature dish: the Saint Bartholomew cake, a savory baked preparation made from stale bread, eggs, butter, cheese, and milk. Simple ingredients, from mountain cuisine, that tell the story of an alpine community and are still prepared at home specifically for the patron saint's day.

For those visiting Val di Scalve, the Saint Bartholomew festival is an opportunity to get to know the soul of Colere up close, outside the ski season that makes the town known to mountain enthusiasts.