Madonna della Neve Festival

A village festival in the heart of the Bassa Modenese

The Madonna della Neve Festival is the most cherished summer event in Quarantoli, a hamlet in the Municipality of Mirandola, in the province of Modena (Emilia-Romagna). For a few evenings at the beginning of August, the Pieve Square fills with tables, the aromas of Emilian cuisine, and live music: it's the festival that brings an entire community together around its roots, made of faith, gastronomy, and social life.

The Pieve of Santa Maria della Neve, soul of the festival

The festival takes its name from the Pieve of Santa Maria della Neve, one of the most important Romanesque monuments in the Bassa Modenese. Already documented in a 1044 text as a religious and cultural center comparable to the Abbey of Nonantola, the Pieve was entirely rebuilt in the 12th century during the era of Matilde di Canossa: the altar bears the inscription of November 15, 1114, the day of its consecration. The sculptures, attributable to the school of Wiligelmo (the same master of the Modena Cathedral), make it a small gem not to be missed. Severely damaged by the 2012 earthquake, the Pieve was for a long time at the center of a lengthy restoration process, and for this reason, the festival bearing its name has also taken on the value of a gesture of affection from the village towards its symbol over the years.

What to eat

The gourmet heart of the festival is the gnocchi stand, with tigelle, gnocco fritto, and traditional cured meats. The great classics of Modenese cuisine and the most popular dishes of the festival are also served:

• Pumpkin tortelloni and maccheroni al pettine (handmade pasta)
• Penne with ragù and traditional first courses
• Mixed grilled meats and spit-roasted chicken
• Grilled vegetables and vegetarian options
• Homemade desserts: chocolate salami, panna cotta, cakes, and zuppa inglese

Service is provided in covered, uncovered, and air-conditioned seating areas, with reservation options.

Music, market, and solidarity

Every evening, the festival features live music, with orchestras, bands, and themed evenings that liven up the square until late. Alongside the food stands, there is the craft market, inflatable attractions for children, and the traditional charity raffle, with proceeds going to the hamlet's nursery school. The festival is organized by the Comitato Sagra di Quarantoli with the support of the Municipality of Mirandola, also as part of the "Estate in frazione" (Summer in the Hamlet) program.

Between faith and tradition

The most moving moment is the solemn celebration of the Pieve's dedication, specifically titled to Our Lady of the Snows, which draws faithful from all over the Mirandola area. At the end of the service, the evocative tradition of the "snowfall of Our Lady of the Snows" is renewed, recalling the miracle linked to Marian devotion. A memorial mass for the deceased concludes the festival days.