Patronal Feast of Saint Agapitus the Martyr

The town festival

The Patronal Feast of Saint Agapitus the Martyr is the most cherished event of the year for the community of Lombardore, a small town in the Canavese area within the province of Turin, in the heart of Piedmont. Every summer, during the last week of August, the town pauses to honor its patron saint with a celebration that blends religious observance and popular festivities, bringing five days of events to Piazza Don Lanterno.

The festival is organized by the Lombardore Pro Loco, which has spent years meticulously managing every detail with the support of the local municipality and regional sponsors. It is a festival created by the community for the community, where volunteers—often very young—are the true driving force behind the event.

The Priorata tradition

The heart of the patronal feast is the Priorata: each year, a Prior and his attendants (the priorine) symbolically represent the town and act as guardians of the Book of Priors and the ceremonial sword, which are passed on to the new representatives in a deeply moving ceremony. The Priorata parade, accompanied by the Filarmonica Felettese band, winds through the town center and joins the solemn procession with the relic of Saint Agapitus—the most significant moment of the entire festival, preceded by Mass in honor of the martyr and the distribution of the traditional "Charity" bread.

Between the sacred and the popular

Beyond its religious dimension, the patronal feast offers all the warmth of a traditional Piedmontese town festival. The Pro Loco's food stall serves traditional dishes every evening, while the square comes alive with dance nights, orchestras, mobile DJs, and musical performances. The event also features the crowning of Miss and Mister Lombardore, photo exhibitions showcasing past editions, a funfair, bocce tournaments, and the unmissable fireworks display that concludes the festivities, followed by the lottery prize draw.

A festival for the whole community

The Saint Agapitus feast is much more than a simple fair: it is the moment when Lombardore rediscovers its identity through memories, tradition, and a shared sense of belonging. It is also the perfect opportunity for visitors to discover an authentic corner of the Canavese and the hospitality of a small town near Turin.