Long Night of the Churches — Grana Monferrato

The Long Night of the Churches in Grana Monferrato

Every year in early June, the Long Night of the Churches transforms dozens of Italian sacred buildings into meeting places open until late at night. In Grana Monferrato, a small town in the Province of Asti nestled in the hills of the Asti Monferrato (Piedmont), the event takes place in the evocative parish church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, on Via della Parrocchia. It is a precious opportunity to discover a heritage of art and devotion that often remains hidden, and to experience the community in an unusual way—both festive and intimate.

A national initiative, a local evening

The event is part of a large project spread across the entire country, which proposes a common theme for all participating churches each year. The evening in Grana is promoted by the Diocese of Casale Monferrato and organized by the parish in collaboration with the cultural association Grana Arte e Tradizione and the local Pro Loco. Year after year, the church of the Assumption confirms itself as one of the most heartfelt stops in the Monferrato, capable of weaving music, readings, and hospitality into a single experience.

What to expect

• The traditional bell concert, known in the local dialect as the «boundëtta», to open the evening;
• Musical interludes performed on the church's monumental organ;
• Readings and moments of reflection tied to the edition's theme;
• Guided tours of the parish church, the museum, and the sacristy;
• Access to the parish underground vaults with a tasting of local wines.

Between faith, culture, and the Monferrato

More than just an event, the Long Night of the Churches in Grana is a way to tell the story of a Monferrato village: its Christian roots, its history, and the winemaking art that characterizes these hills, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The tasting in the ancient cellars beneath the church is a small gesture that links spirituality and rural tradition, typical of this corner of Piedmont. Admission is free, welcoming anyone who wishes to spend a different kind of evening amidst music, beauty, and conviviality.