Patronal Feast of Saints Cornelius and Cyprian

The most cherished festival in Mattie

The Patronal Feast of Saints Cornelius and Cyprian is the most anticipated event of the year for Mattie, a small municipality in the Susa Valley, in the Province of Turin, in the heart of Piedmont. Every mid-September, the alpine village gathers around its two patron saints for a day that weaves together spirituality, tradition, and community life: it is the village festival, a time when those who have moved away return home and families reunite along the streets of the center.

The patron saints

The patrons of Mattie are Saint Cornelius and Saint Cyprian, two figures from the early centuries of Christianity celebrated together by the Church on September 16th. Cornelius was Pope between 251 and 253 and died in exile; Cyprian, who lived around 200-258, was the Bishop of Carthage and a martyr. The village parish church is dedicated to them, and the culmination of the festivities is concentrated on the liturgical day of the two saints.

The parish church

The religious heart of the festival is the parish church of Saints Cornelius and Cyprian, a building of ancient origins: its roots date back to the 11th century, despite significant renovations between the 17th and 18th centuries. It preserves a Romanesque bell tower with elegant mullioned windows and corbelled capitals, while inside it houses a valuable wooden altarpiece from the Valsesia school. The church stands isolated on a rocky spur just outside the village, next to the cemetery, in a scenic position that overlooks the valley.

What to experience during the festival

The program combines the sacred with the convivial. Moments that traditionally mark the day include:

• Solemn Holy Mass in honor of the patron saints;
• Procession through the village streets, with the participation of confraternities, the brass band, and the faithful;
• Illuminations and festive decorations in the town center;
• Food stalls with typical Piedmontese cuisine;
• Musical entertainment and evening festivities;
• Craft markets and local products, with activities designed for children.

An opportunity to discover the Susa Valley

Participating in the patronal feast of Mattie means spending a day in an authentic mountain village, far from the major tourist circuits. The Pro Loco of Mattie and the Municipality animate the territory throughout the year with excursions and initiatives dedicated to local traditions, and the September festival is the moment when this bond with one's roots is manifested in the most genuine way. Around Mattie, the Susa Valley offers trails, hamlets, and a historical-religious heritage that is worth a longer stay.