Patronal Feast of Saint Columba

The Patronal Feast of Alta Val Tidone

The Patronal Feast of Saint Columba is the main civil and religious event of the Municipality of Alta Val Tidone, established in 2018 from the merger of the three municipalities of Pecorara, Nibbiano, and Caminata, in the upper province of Piacenza, in Emilia-Romagna. Every year, around July 18th, the valley communities gather to honor the patron saint chosen at the time of the new Municipality's inception.

Saint Columba, Patron of the Valley

Saint Columba, an Irish monk and abbot who lived between the 6th and 7th centuries, is a symbolic figure of the Christian identity that spread in these lands from the early Middle Ages, along the routes connecting Val Tidone to the abbey of Bobbio, which he founded. His liturgical commemoration and historical connection to the territory made the choice of the saint as the municipal patron natural, a recognition that gives the feast a meaning that goes beyond a single parish and embraces the entire community.

Solemn Mass and Civil Events

The religious heart of the day is the Solemn Mass, presided over by the Bishop of the Diocese of Piacenza-Bobbio and celebrated in one of the churches of the historical hamlets of the Municipality. During the ceremony, the traditional gesture of lighting the votive oil lamp by the mayor is renewed, symbolizing the community's entrustment to the patron saint. The liturgical part is complemented by civil events, such as the awarding of recognitions and merits to individuals and associations that have distinguished themselves in volunteer work and the social life of the valley.

The Evening Celebration

The day concludes with a celebration open to all, which in recent years has also taken place in the evocative setting of the Molato dam: gastronomic stands and food trucks offering local typical products, including the famous batarò of Val Tidone, and live music with concerts that liven up the summer evening. It is a moment when the religious dimension gives way to conviviality and the sense of belonging that characterizes mountain communities.

A Territory to Discover

The feast is also an excellent opportunity to discover Alta Val Tidone, a land of villages, castles, hiking trails, and hilly landscapes. Walks and hikes along the valley's paths, such as the Sentiero del Tidone, often complete the event calendar, combining spirituality, tradition, and love for nature in a single July weekend.