Patronal Feast of Saints Costanzo and Vittore
The patronal feast of Villar San Costanzo, featuring Roman legionaries and bonfires on the hills of the Maira Valley
About Feast of Saints Costanzo and Vittore
A patronal feast steeped in legend
The Patronal Feast of Saints Costanzo and Vittore is the most cherished event of the year in Villar San Costanzo, a town nestled in the Maira Valley in the province of Cuneo, Piedmont. The town owes its name to Costanzo, a soldier of the Theban Legion who, according to tradition, was beheaded on Mount San Bernardo around 303-305 AD, on September 18th. It is around this ancient Christian memory that the entire town gathers every year on the third Sunday of September to honor its two patron saints.
Roman legionaries and the procession
What makes this festival truly unique is the presence of participants dressed in Imperial-era attire. Young men dressed as Roman legionaries take part in the solemn morning mass; in the afternoon, the traditional procession winds through the historic center, accompanied by the Roman soldiers—two on horseback and the others on foot—who stand guard over the urn containing the saint's relics. It is a simple yet deeply popular re-enactment that bridges religious devotion with the historical memory of the Theban Legion's martyrdom.
Bonfires on the hills
As per custom, the festival begins on the Saturday evening before the patronal Sunday: bonfires are lit on the hills surrounding the town, particularly on Mount San Bernardo, in honor of Saint Costanzo. The flames, visible from the valley, announce the start of the festivities and evoke an ancient tradition that remains the symbolic heart of the event.
Gastronomic evenings, dancing, and games
Beyond the religious observances, the festival is a succession of convivial evenings spanning several days. There is no shortage of gastronomic evenings featuring traditional Cuneo dishes—from ravioli and hearty polenta feasts to pizza and beer festivals, and servings of stew and sausage—all accompanied by dance evenings with ballroom orchestras. The days are enlivened by popular team games, tournaments between local districts, petanque and card competitions, entertainment for children, and, to close one of the evenings, a fireworks display.
A town to discover
The festival is also an opportunity to explore a surprising territory: Villar San Costanzo is home to the Ciciu del Villar Nature Reserve, with its characteristic mushroom-shaped stone formations, and the evocative abbey of San Costanzo al Monte. An ideal destination for those wishing to combine an authentic village festival with the discovery of the Maira Valley.
Feast of Saints Costanzo and Vittore — edition 2026
2026 Patronal Feast
The official date for the 2026 edition is confirmed: the patronal Sunday falls on September 20, 2026, as per tradition on the third Sunday of September. Several days of celebration in Villar San Costanzo revolve around this day, with the usual alternation of religious moments and popular events.
The detailed program for the 2026 edition—including times for gastronomic evenings, district tournaments, petanque and card competitions, dance evenings with orchestras, and the fireworks display—will be published by the Municipality and the Pro Loco in the weeks leading up to the festival. The two key identity-defining moments remain confirmed: the bonfires lit on Mount San Bernardo on the evening before the patronal Sunday and the procession with Roman legionaries guarding the urn containing the saint's relics.
Programme Feast of Saints Costanzo and Vittore 2026
The detailed program for the 2026 edition will be announced by the Municipality of Villar San Costanzo and the Pro Loco in the weeks preceding the festival.
Based on the established structure of previous editions, the festival typically includes:
- Bonfires on Mount San Bernardo on the Saturday evening preceding the patronal Sunday;
- The solemn mass on Sunday with the participation of young men dressed as Roman legionaries;
- The traditional afternoon procession with Roman soldiers, two on horseback and others on foot, escorting the urn with the saint's relics;
- Gastronomic evenings with traditional dishes (ravioli, polenta, pizza and beer festival, servings of stew and sausage);
- Dance evenings with ballroom orchestras;
- Popular games and tournaments between local districts, petanque and card competitions, and children's entertainment;
- Fireworks display to close one of the evenings.
Highlights Feast of Saints Costanzo and Vittore 2026
- The procession with Roman legionaries guarding the urn with the saint's relics
- Evening bonfires on Mount San Bernardo
- Gastronomic evenings featuring traditional Cuneo dishes
Prices Feast of Saints Costanzo and Vittore 2026
Practical information — Feast of Saints Costanzo and Vittore
When
The festival takes place every year on the third Sunday of September, with festivities spread over several days. In 2026, the patronal Sunday falls on September 20th.
How to get there
By car: from Cuneo, you can reach Villar San Costanzo in about 30 minutes by taking the road towards Dronero and the lower Maira Valley. The nearest train station is in Cuneo, from where you can continue by car or local bus connections.
Admission
Access to religious celebrations, the procession, and popular events is free; some gastronomic evenings require payment for the food consumed.
Tips
For the updated program, it is advisable to check the website of the Municipality of Villar San Costanzo and the Pro Loco channels in the weeks leading up to the festival.
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Where does it take place — Feast of Saints Costanzo and Vittore
Centro storico e Monte San Bernardo