Patronal Feast and Rabaton Festival
The feast of Saints Quirico and Giulitta featuring rabaton, living chess, and tradition in Castelnuovo Bormida
About Rabaton Festival
A village festival worth the trip
Every year, around the third weekend of July, the small town of Castelnuovo Bormida, in the province of Alessandria, transforms into an open-air stage for one of the most beloved festivals in lower Piedmont. The Patronal Feast of Saints Quirico and Giulitta and the Rabaton Festival are essentially one grand event, organized by the local Pro Loco and the municipality, filling the village squares for five days with long tables, music, performances, and the aromas of Piedmontese cuisine.
Rabaton, the star of the table
The gastronomic heart of the festival is the rabaton, a delicious dumpling made of herbs, ricotta, cheese, and eggs. Simple in its ingredients but incredibly rich in flavor, it is a symbol of the peasant tradition in this corner of the Alessandria area. Alongside the rabaton, the Pro Loco stalls offer classic festival dishes, from ravioli to grilled meats, paired with local wines.
Living Chess: 'Checkmate by the River'
The most anticipated moment is the Living Chess match in Renaissance costume, known as 'Checkmate by the River', played in Piazza Geo Pistarino, just a short walk from the Bormida river. The tradition commemorates a famous challenge that legend says was played here in the 16th century by the great Sicilian chess player Paolo Boi: actors in costume become living pieces on a giant chessboard, accompanied by flag-wavers, fire shows, and a final fireworks display. The 2026 edition will be the 42nd.
More than just chess
The festival program alternates between musical evenings, themed dinners, religious moments with the procession of the patron saints, itinerant theatrical performances by the Teatro del Rimbombo, and concerts. During the festival, the 'Il Borgo Nuovo' Rapid Chess Tournament also takes place, an official event of the Piedmont RAPID Circuit of the Italian Chess Federation, which attracts players from across the region.
Why it's worth visiting
- An authentic festival, far from mass tourism, in the green hills of the Alessandria Monferrato.
- The Living Chess show, a unique blend of history, gaming, and popular theater.
- The Pro Loco cuisine, featuring rabaton and traditional Piedmontese dishes.
- The atmosphere of a festival that unites devotion, play, and village conviviality.
Rabaton Festival — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Patronal Feast of Saints Quirico and Giulitta and the Rabaton Festival confirms the tradition that has enlivened Castelnuovo Bormida in the heart of summer for decades. The 'Il Borgo Nuovo' Rapid Chess Tournament is already official for Saturday, July 18, 2026, included as a round of the Piedmont RAPID Circuit of the Italian Chess Federation with an official notice.
Around this date, the patronal festival program will unfold as it does every year: Pro Loco stalls with the famous rabaton and traditional dishes, musical evenings, the procession of the patron saints, and the 42nd edition of the Living Chess in Renaissance costume ('Checkmate by the River') in Piazza Geo Pistarino, with flag-wavers and a fireworks display over the Bormida.
The full program, including artists and times, will be published by the Pro Loco Castelnuovo Bormida in the weeks leading up to the festival.
Programme Rabaton Festival 2026
The detailed program for the 2026 edition will be announced by the Pro Loco Castelnuovo Bormida in the weeks leading up to the festival.
Already confirmed appointment:
- Saturday, July 18, 2026 — 'Il Borgo Nuovo' Rapid Chess Tournament, round of the Piedmont RAPID Circuit (Italian Chess Federation), with official notice.
Usual structure of the event (pending the 2026 calendar): musical evenings and street food, themed dinners in Piazza Marconi, procession of Saints Quirico and Giulitta, itinerant theatrical performance by the Teatro del Rimbombo, and the highlight: the Living Chess match in costume ('Checkmate by the River', 42nd edition) in Piazza Geo Pistarino, with flag-wavers, fire shows, and final fireworks.
Highlights Rabaton Festival 2026
- 'Il Borgo Nuovo' Rapid Chess Tournament on July 18, 2026 (official round of the Piedmont RAPID Circuit).
- 42nd edition of the Living Chess in Renaissance costume, 'Checkmate by the River'.
- The Rabaton Festival with traditional dishes from the Pro Loco.
Prices Rabaton Festival 2026
Practical information — Rabaton Festival
Getting there
Castelnuovo Bormida is located in the province of Alessandria, along the Bormida valley. By car: take the A26 motorway, exit at Predosa, or follow the state road connecting Alessandria to Acqui Terme. The reference railway station is Acqui Terme, on the Alessandria-Acqui-Genoa line.
Where it takes place
The main events animate the town center, particularly Piazza Geo Pistarino (Living Chess) and Piazza Marconi; the religious procession starts from the parish church of Saints Quirico and Giulitta.
Information and bookings
Pro Loco food stalls generally do not require reservations. For themed evenings and program updates, it is best to follow the channels of the Pro Loco Castelnuovo Bormida. Useful contacts: +39 348 2291401, +39 346 2161065, +39 338 3961430.
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Where does it take place — Rabaton Festival
Piazza Geo Pistarino