Madonna del Colletto Festival (Our Lady of the Snows Celebrations)

A mountain Marian festival above Valdieri

The celebrations for Our Lady of the Snows take place every year in early August at the Santuario della Madonna del Colletto, in the municipality of Valdieri, in the province of Cuneo, in the heart of the Piedmontese Maritime Alps. The sanctuary stands in a panoramic position on the natural pass that separates the Gesso Valley, on the Valdieri side, from the Stura Valley, on the Festiona side: a place of passage and rest that has gathered the devotion of mountain communities for centuries.

History and devotion

The presence of the chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary of the Snows has been documented in the parish records of Valdieri since 1633, during an era marked by the plagues that struck the valleys. The building was expanded and rebuilt between the 18th and 19th centuries, eventually taking on its current appearance, and houses numerous ex-votos that testify to the simple and spontaneous faith of the devotees. The festival recalls the legend of the miraculous summer snowfall on the Esquiline Hill in Rome, the origin of the first Marian basilica: this is why the recurrence is linked to August 5th, celebrated at the Colletto on the first available Sunday of the month.

A tradition blending faith and conviviality

The festivities combine religious moments with popular ones. The spiritual heart is the Holy Mass with the procession in honor of the Madonna, accompanied by singing and the participation of the Gesso Valley communities. Around the celebration, the village festival unfolds: mixed grilled meats, traditional polenta, evenings of Occitan music and dancing, and outdoor games that enliven the meadow around the sanctuary.

A place to reach on foot

The Santuario del Colletto is also a destination for excursions and walks: it can be reached from Valdieri along the paths that climb to the pass, immersed in the woods of the Maritime Alps. The festival thus becomes an opportunity to combine Marian devotion with the pleasure of the mountains, in a day that brings together residents, vacationers, and pilgrims.

Organization

The event is promoted by the Parish and the Municipality of Valdieri with the support of the Amici del Santuario della Madonna del Colletto association, which oversees the maintenance of the site and the organization of the festival days.

In 2026, the sanctuary will be undergoing restoration work: it is advisable to check with the Municipality of Valdieri for any logistical changes before attending.