Maria Ausiliatrice Patronal Feast (Cornaley)

The Cornaley Patronal Feast

Every year at the end of May, the village of Cornaley, located in the municipality of Settimo Vittone in the upper Canavese region (Metropolitan City of Turin, Piedmont), gathers to celebrate its patron saint, Maria Ausiliatrice. It is one of those authentic village festivals that keep the community spirit alive: for four days, the square becomes the beating heart of the hamlet, filled with moments of faith, traditional games, communal dining, and live music.

Suet Gris, the soul of the feast

If there is one dish that defines Cornaley, it is Suet Gris: a traditional spring polenta from the Canavese farming culture, prepared with the first fresh herbs gathered in the meadows before the livestock head to pasture. In 2026, this recipe became the first to be registered under the De.C.O. (Municipal Denomination of Origin) of Settimo Vittone, an official recognition linking the dish to its territory. During the festival, Suet Gris is showcased, explained, and served—also available for takeaway—serving as the common thread throughout the event.

Between the sacred and the secular

The most heartfelt moment is the solemn mass on Sunday, followed by a procession carrying the statue of the Madonna Ausiliatrice through the streets of the village and the appointment of the new priors, a ritual passed down through generations. Alongside the religious dimension, the festival features the most genuine village pastimes: the relay bocce tournament, the traditional pot-breaking game for children, and barbecues and community lunches organized by local groups.

Four days of conviviality

The festival takes place from Friday to Monday in a heated pavilion and the village square. Evenings are enlivened by local music and orchestras, ranging from Canavese folk groups to ballroom dancing on the final night. It is the perfect opportunity to discover an authentic corner of the Canavese, far from mass tourism, where gastronomic and religious traditions intertwine naturally.

An event for the territory

Organized by the municipal administration of Settimo Vittone with the patronage of the Metropolitan City of Turin, the Maria Ausiliatrice Patronal Feast of Cornaley is a free event open to all, designed to celebrate the local community and its flavors. Those looking for a taste of genuine, rural Piedmont will find hospitality, good food, and a rare, authentic village atmosphere.