Nativity of Mary Festival — Piazze di Bedollo

The patronal feast of Piazze

The Nativity of Mary Festival is the patronal feast of Piazze, a charming village in the municipality of Bedollo nestled on the Piné Plateau, between the Cembra Valley and Valsugana, in the province of Trento (Trentino-Alto Adige). Every year in September, the community gathers around the church dedicated to the Nativity of Mary to honor their patron saint in a celebration that weaves together religious devotion and village conviviality.

The church and its history

The heart of the festival is the Church of the Nativity of Mary, a 17th-century building housing a painting of the Madonna with Saints James, Simonino, and Nicholas of Bari, attributed to Martino Teofilo Polacco. Village life revolves around the church and its iconic fountain: here, on September 8th, the Catholic tradition celebrates the Nativity of Mary, making it the most anticipated event of the year for the Piazze community.

Faith and community

The religious core of the festival is the solemn Holy Mass, followed by a procession that winds through the village streets carrying the image of the Virgin. Over the years, the celebration has been led by local parish priests, with the active participation of the entire village and the neighboring hamlets of Bedollo — Centrale, Brusago, and Regnana.

Cuisine and entertainment

After the religious services, the festivities continue in the square behind the church, featuring traditional Trentino dishes and musical entertainment that enlivens the evenings. The festival, which spans several days from Friday to Sunday, is an opportunity to rediscover the flavors and warmth of the Trentino mountains, in a natural setting made even more evocative by the nearby Lago delle Piazze, a frequent recipient of the Blue Flag award.

A village on the Piné Plateau

Visiting the Nativity of Mary Festival means discovering one of the most authentic corners of the Piné Plateau: stone houses, porticos, the village square fountain, and trails leading to the lakes and the Cascata del Lupo waterfall provide the backdrop for a festival that keeps the roots and identity of the Piazze community alive year after year.