National Tabarrata

A national gathering centered on the tabarro

The National Tabarrata is the annual event that draws the largest number of enthusiasts of the tabarro, a circular cloak with ancient origins, inextricably linked to Italian regional traditions. Organized by the Associazione Civiltà del Tabarro, which is dedicated to spreading the cultural, historical, and spiritual background of this garment, the event has grown edition after edition, visiting cities such as Parma, Casalmaggiore, Vicenza, Oleggio, Cittadella, Bassano del Grappa, Chioggia, and Lucca.

Orta San Giulio, the perfect setting

For its ninth edition, the Tabarrata has chosen Orta San Giulio, one of Italy's most beautiful villages, overlooking Lake Orta in the Piedmont province of Novara. The date is no coincidence: the Tabarrata takes place on the day of the feast of Saint Julius, the patron saint of the village. Legend has it that Saint Julius, wrapped in his cloak, crossed the lake's waters to reach the island and rid it of the dragons and snakes that infested it: a powerful symbolic bond between the saint and the tabarro that makes Orta an ideal location for the gathering.

A day between the square, the lake, and the island

The heart of the event is Piazza Motta, the village's living room overlooking the water, from where the tabarristi embark to reach the Island of San Giulio to stage the collective tabarrata, the most scenic moment of the entire day. The program includes a group photo, a dedicated portrait session, an exhibition of vintage tabarri at the Palazzotto, and cultural insights, culminating in the traditional awarding of the tabarrista of the year and a convivial dinner to close the event.

More than just a parade

• The tabarro as a cultural and identity heritage, not just a costume
• A passionate audience arriving from all over Italy
• The unique backdrop of Lake Orta and the Island of San Giulio
• Exhibitions, conferences, and conviviality in a single winter day

The National Tabarrata in Orta San Giulio is an opportunity to discover a living tradition, immersed in the suspended atmosphere of one of Piedmont's most evocative villages.