Gift of the Bread
A historical walk through the villages and woods of Arizzano, Bèe, and Premeno
About Gift of the Bread
A centuries-old tradition brought to life
The Gift of the Bread is one of the most cherished events in the upper Verbano area, held in the town of Arizzano, in the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Piedmont. This is no ordinary festival: it is a re-enactment of an ancient pact between mountain communities, transformed into a historical walk that connects the villages of Arizzano, Bèe, and Premeno along traditional paths.
The origins: a pact between villages
The custom dates back to ancient times, with some tracing its origins to the 15th century. The inhabitants of Arizzano had secured the right to gather dry leaves and brushwood on Monte San Salvatore in exchange for delivering several kilos of bread every year on the first Sunday of May. The ritual of delivering the loaves continued until the 1950s and 70s, when the Arizzano sacristan would symbolically carry the loaves to the chapel of the Assunta for Albagnano and to a stone table near the church of San Salvatore for Premeno.
The revival in the 1980s
In the 1980s, the Pro Loco associations of Arizzano, Bèe, and Premeno decided to recover this collective memory by organizing the Gift of the Bread Festival. Since then, every first Sunday of May, the bread is blessed during mass in Arizzano and then carried on foot along the ancient route, with symbolic deliveries in the various villages.
The walk
The heart of the day is the walk that starts from Piazza delle Noci in Arizzano and reaches Bèe, continues towards the hamlet of Albagnano and the chapel of Santa Rita, crosses the woods and the abandoned village of Porteia up to San Salvatore, and concludes in Premeno at Villa Bernocchi. The route is mixed, consisting of easy trails and paved road sections, with a steeper stretch after Porteia.
A community event
The proceeds from the event are traditionally donated to the primary schools of Arizzano and Premeno, confirming the solidarity and community value of the initiative. The festival is organized jointly by the Pro Loco associations, the Parish of Bèe, and the municipal administrations of the three towns.
- Where: Arizzano, Bèe, and Premeno (VB), Piedmont
- When: The first Sunday of May
- Cost: Voluntary donation
- Type: Historical walk and traditional festival
Gift of the Bread — edition 2026
The Gift of the Bread 2026 festival was held on Sunday, May 3, in Arizzano (VB), from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The day followed the usual tradition: blessing of the bread during mass in Arizzano, departure of the walk from Piazza delle Noci, and the journey along the ancient route to Premeno, at Villa Bernocchi.
The route, a mix of easy trails and paved sections with a more challenging climb after Porteia, passed through Bèe, the hamlet of Albagnano, and the woods of Monte San Salvatore. The event, based on voluntary donations, was organized by the Pro Loco associations of Arizzano and Premeno, the Parish of Bèe, and the municipal administrations.
Programme Gift of the Bread 2026
Daily Program — May 3, 2026 (10:00 AM–4:30 PM)
The festival follows the same traditional route every year: Arizzano → Bèe → Albagnano → San Salvatore → Premeno:
- 10:00 AM — Holy Mass and blessing of the bread in the church of Arizzano.
- Morning — Departure of the walk from Piazza delle Noci in Arizzano along the ancient path towards Bèe.
- Noon — Arrival in Bèe with symbolic delivery of the bread, cutting and distribution, and a convivial picnic.
- Afternoon — Stop at the Santa Rita chapel in Albagnano, crossing the woods and the abandoned village of Porteia, and a break at San Salvatore.
- Conclusion — Arrival in Premeno at Villa Bernocchi with the final symbolic delivery of the bread and refreshments.
In case of bad weather, the route is carried out without stops starting from Piazza delle Noci in Arizzano at 2:30 PM.
Highlights Gift of the Bread 2026
Prices Gift of the Bread 2026
Practical information — Gift of the Bread
How to get there
Arizzano is located on the hills above Verbania, in the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola. By car, it can be reached from the A26 motorway (Verbania exit) by driving up towards the hillside villages. The meeting point is in Piazza delle Noci, 3 in Arizzano (28811).
The route
Mixed route on easy trails and paved roads, with a steep section after Porteia. Trekking shoes, comfortable clothing, and water are recommended.
In case of bad weather
The walk will take place without stops, starting from Piazza delle Noci in Arizzano at 2:30 PM.
Costs
Participation is based on voluntary donations; proceeds support the primary schools of Arizzano and Premeno.
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Where does it take place — Gift of the Bread
Piazza delle Noci
Piazza delle Noci 3, 28811 Arizzano