Novalesa 726-2026: 13th Centenary of the Abbey — Year of Celebrations

1,300 years of history in the Alps

In 2026, the Abbey of Saints Peter and Andrew in Novalesa celebrates an extraordinary milestone: the 1300th anniversary of its founding, which took place on January 30, 726, by the Frankish nobleman Abbo. Nestled at the foot of the Moncenisio pass in the picturesque Cenischia Valley in the province of Turin, the abbey is one of the oldest and most important Benedictine monasteries in the Alps. It serves as a guardian of an artistic and documentary heritage of European significance, most notably the famous Chronicon Novaliciense, one of the most remarkable chronicles of medieval Italy.

A year of celebrations: Novalesa 726-2026

The Benedictine monastic community, together with the Metropolitan City of Turin — which has owned the complex since 1972 — has prepared a calendar of events spanning the entire year. The celebrations begin on January 30 with solemn Vespers presided over by Cardinal Roberto Repole, commemorating the founding act, and conclude on October 15, the day of the dedication of the abbey church, with the closing of the Jubilee entrusted to Cardinal Giorgio Marengo, arriving from Ulaanbaatar.

Lectures, concerts, and spirituality

The program weaves together culture and faith through numerous events:

• January 23 — Inaugural conference at the State Archives of Turin on the founding act of Novalesa.
• The Saturdays of Novalesa — Five meetings from January to May dedicated to the Chronicon Novaliciense, covering themes such as memory, evangelization, and humanity.
• February 26 — Lecture at the Reale Mutua Auditorium in Turin: "The Abbey of Novalesa 726-2026: 1300 years of history, art, and spirituality".
• March 15 — Pilgrimage of the local inhabitants with the urn of Saint Eldrado.
• June 27-29 — "Culture and Spirituality" days: conference on monasticism, unveiling of a commemorative stele, and meditations for the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul.
• July 11 — Organ concert by Maestro Ferruccio Bartoletti.
• August 8 — Concert by the Novalesa Choir: "Music of the Ancient Scriptorium".

A place to discover

The celebrations are the perfect opportunity to visit the abbey and its village in the municipality of Novalesa, immersed in the alpine landscape of the Cenischia Valley. Between Romanesque frescoes, the Chapel of Saint Eldrado, and the charm of a living monastery, Novalesa offers pilgrims and visitors to Piedmont a unique experience of art, nature, and reflection.