Festival of Saint Zeno

Saint Zeno, patron saint of Castano Primo

In Castano Primo, a municipality in the Alto Milanese region, in the province of Milan, the patronal feast is dedicated to Saint Zeno, Bishop of Verona. The saint became the patron of the town after the construction of the new parish church dedicated to him, and the liturgical celebration was moved from spring to the end of October, replacing the previous patron, Saint Fedele. The feast falls on the fourth Sunday of October.

The ritual of "brusà il balon"

The most evocative element of the festival is the tradition of "brusà il balon": during the solemn Mass, a large balloon, made of a metal structure covered in cotton, is burned at the altar. The act symbolizes the flame of faith that animated martyrs and saints, and represents one of the most defining moments for the community of Castano Primo.

The historical fair

Inseparable from the patronal feast is the historical fair, which fills the town center with stalls and merchandise. Its origins date back to the 18th century, during the Spanish rule, when the fair attracted merchants and buyers for the trade of fabrics and livestock, particularly cattle. Even today, the Saint Zeno fair combines the religious dimension of the patronal feast with the centuries-old commercial tradition of Castano Primo, in an event that draws visitors from all over the region.