Lux Continua – Spring Equinox Visit at Staffarda Abbey

An equinox to experience inside the abbey

Lux Continua is an experiential thematic tour celebrating the spring equinox at the Abbey of Santa Maria di Staffarda, in the heart of the village of the same name in the municipality of Revello, in the province of Cuneo. The event was created to give a face and a sound to that precise moment of the year when day and night are of equal length, and the sunlight, filtering into the abbey, creates unique patterns that manifest only now, once in the cycle of the seasons.

When light becomes a score

The tour weaves together symbolism, astronomical meanings, light, and sound into a multisensory experience lasting about an hour. Visitors are guided by narratives that reveal the value of the spring awakening and the ancient bond between sacred architecture and the cycles of the sky. Accompanying the journey is the bagpipe, described as a vital breath, a symbol of the spirit that gives life to matter: it is played by Luca Midulla, a veterinarian, nature guide, and musician from the creative sound collective Hash21. As reported by the local press, on this day, light becomes a musical score and the bagpipe the voice of the earth.

A 12th-century Cistercian abbey

The setting is one of the most important medieval landmarks in Piedmont. The Abbey of Staffarda, a Cistercian complex founded in the 12th century (tradition dates it to 1135) on lands donated by the Marquises of Saluzzo, preserves its Romanesque-Gothic church with three naves, the cloister, the chapter house, the guesthouse, and the characteristic covered market supported by pillars. It is preserved and promoted by the Fondazione Ordine Mauriziano, and it is this blend of stone, history, and spirituality that makes the equinox experience so evocative.

Organizers

Lux Continua is part of the rich calendar of thematic tours curated by the DialogArt association, realized with the support of the Fondazione CRC and the Fondazione Ordine Mauriziano, and in collaboration with Abbonamento Musei. It is the same program that offers monthly guided tours at the abbey throughout the year, as well as paths dedicated to the altarpiece by Pascale Oddone and events combining art, nature, and spirituality.

Who it is for

The event is aimed at those looking for a different way to visit a historical site: astronomy and symbolism enthusiasts, live music lovers, families, and curious visitors who want to experience the arrival of spring with a new perspective. Booking is mandatory and places are limited to ensure the experience is best enjoyed in the intimacy of the naves.