Palazzolo Vercellese Carnival — Fagiolata

The Palazzolo Vercellese Carnival

In the heart of the Bassa Vercellese, the town of Palazzolo Vercellese (Province of Vercelli, Piedmont) celebrates a traditional Carnival every year, with the Fagiolata being its most anticipated moment. It is an authentic village festival, featuring masks, a marching band, and communal dining, attracting residents and visitors from the surrounding villages.

The Fagiolata, an iconic dish

The fagiolata is the gastronomic heart of the Palazzolo Carnival: a bean soup cooked and served in the main square, symbolizing conviviality and the peasant traditions rooted in the Vercelli rice-growing plains. Preparation and distribution are handled by the Nuovo Gruppo Fagiolata of the Pro Loco, which serves hundreds of portions every year both at tables set up in a heated marquee and as takeaway.

Masks and tradition

The Carnival is marked by the parade of Palazzolo masks — including the historic figures of the Bella Mondina and the Barlité — accompanied by masks from neighboring towns and the "Fausto Nervi" Marching Band. The Bella Mondina pays tribute to the history of the mondine, the rice-weeding women who defined the identity of this territory.

Borghi in Maschera

Palazzolo Vercellese participates in the Borghi in Maschera project, presented as "the largest Carnival in Italy": a widespread network involving 49 municipalities of the Borghi delle Vie d'Acqua network, located in the territory between the Sesia, Dora Baltea, and Po rivers. The project promotes local carnival traditions, fagiolate, and the folklore of the Po Valley, strengthening collaboration between the villages.

A festival for families

The program pays great attention to children: the masks' visit to the local nursery and primary schools kicks off the festivities, while the Children's Dance concludes the main day with games, music, and group dances, featuring a snack offered in the heated marquee in Piazza Giovane Italia.