Madonna della Guardia Celebrations

The patronal feast of Ronco Scrivia

The Madonna della Guardia Celebrations are the summer event in Ronco Scrivia, a municipality in the upper Scrivia Valley within the Metropolitan City of Genoa. With over fifty years of history, the feast combines the religious dimension linked to the veneration of the Madonna della Guardia — the most deeply rooted Marian cult in the Genoese hinterland, with its sanctuary on Monte Figogna — with the village festival of music, sport, and good food.

A Half-Century Tradition

For generations, the inhabitants of Ronco have gathered in the last days of August to honor the patron saint and come together in the square. The event is included in the calendar of Authentic Ligurian Events, the recognition with which the Liguria Region promotes the most representative traditional festivals of the territory.

What to Expect

During the festival days, the town center comes alive with:

• Food stands managed by the Pro Loco of Ronco, with tigelle, fried foods, and homemade cakes;
• Markets of crafts and stalls along the streets;
• Street artists and entertainment for families;
• the 'Fausto Maluberti' foot race, now a classic of the main day;
• the grand evening fireworks display on August 29th.

Experiencing the Scrivia Valley

The celebrations are also an opportunity to discover a less-traveled corner of Liguria: the Scrivia Valley, a historical transit land between Genoa and the Po Valley, with its villages, trails, and cuisine that blends Ligurian and Piedmontese flavors. Ronco Scrivia, easily reachable by train from Genoa, is a good starting point to explore it.