Festival of Our Lady in the Countryside — Sacconago

The festival of the Sacconago district

The Festival of Our Lady in the Countryside is one of the most cherished traditions of the Sacconago district, a hamlet of Busto Arsizio, in the province of Varese. It revolves around the small chapel of Our Lady in the Countryside, called by the inhabitants 'the place of the heart' of the Sacconago community.

The votive torch

The most characteristic moment is the votive torch: a relay race that each year starts from the district's church, receives a blessing, and reaches a distant sanctuary, before bringing the flame back to the chapel of Sacconago. Dozens of people participate, including athletes and supporters, in a ritual that blends Marian devotion, sporting spirit, and friendship, passed down from generation to generation and preserved in a 'memory book' compiled year after year.

A community festival

Around the devotional part, the actual festival unfolds, with live music, food, long tables, and a dance floor under a large marquee. It is an event managed by a committee of volunteers, an expression of the district's strong bond with its historic chapel and traditions.

Return to the historic location

After several years held at the oratory, in 2026 the festival returns to its original location, next to the chapel, thanks to the restoration work of the surrounding area. A return to origins that the Sacconago community awaits with particular emotion, confirming the identity value of this festival for the Busto Arsizio district.