Madonna del Lares Festival

The festival at the larch sanctuary

The Madonna del Lares Festival is one of the most cherished summer events in Borgo Lares, located in the Central Giudicarie valleys in the province of Trento (Trentino-Alto Adige). It takes place around mid-August at the Sanctuary of Madonna del Lares, which stands at an altitude of approximately 793 meters, three kilometers above the village of Bolbeno, in the center of a clearing surrounded by larch trees—the very trees from which the sanctuary takes its name.

A place of worship between history and legend

Considered the most important Marian sanctuary in the Giudicarie, the Sanctuary of Madonna del Lares guards an ancient devotion. Legend has it that some shepherds found a sacred image hanging from a larch tree in the woods: every time the faithful moved it to a more convenient location, the painting would be back on its larch tree the next morning. It was then decided to build a chapel on that spot, which was transformed and expanded over the centuries into the neoclassical church we see today, with its pronaos supported by granite columns and the inscription Ave Maris Stella on the facade. For centuries, the sanctuary has been a destination for processions starting from Bolbeno, particularly on the second Sunday of July and August 16th, the feast day of Saint Roch.

Faith, song, and mountain flavors

The festival organized by the Pro Loco Bolbeno combines religious observance with conviviality. Masses mark the two days, while a community lunch featuring polenta and traditional Trentino products is set up around the sanctuary. Music is also a highlight: the Coro Cima Tosa of Bolbeno brings the afternoon to life with a repertoire of Alpine traditions.

The footrace

One of the most anticipated moments is the non-competitive footrace "Madonna del Lares," an uphill climb toward the sanctuary open to everyone, which has attracted notable athletes in recent years. The event, immersed in the woods of the Giudicarie, is an opportunity to experience the Borgo Lares area through sport, nature, and tradition.

A community gathering

The Madonna del Lares Festival is part of the summer calendar of the two Pro Loco associations of Borgo Lares (Bolbeno and Zuclo), which offer various events to enliven the villages between August and mid-August. Admission is free; meals are available for purchase.