Patronal Feast of Saints Peter and Paul

The Patronal Feast of Oleggio

On June 29th, Oleggio, an important town in the Novara area of Piedmont, celebrates its patron saints: the apostles Peter and Paul. It is the most heartfelt festival of the year for the Oleggio community, an event that for generations has united religious, civil, and popular dimensions, drawing families, former residents, and visitors from the surrounding areas to the town.

The parish church, an Antonellian masterpiece

The focal point of the festival is the parish church of Saints Peter and Paul, one of the most imposing in the entire province of Novara. Designed by the architect Alessandro Antonelli (1798-1888)—the same mastermind behind the famous Mole Antonelliana in Turin and the Dome of San Gaudenzio—the church was built between 1853 and 1858 in an elegant neoclassical style and consecrated in 1868. The building is distinguished by its portico supported by four majestic granite columns and its three-aisled interior. A unique feature: the church lacks a bell tower, and its six bells are located above the choir. During the patronal feast, the 11:00 AM Solemn Mass is concelebrated by the city's priests and the vicariate in an atmosphere of great participation.

Evening in the square: brass band and the Mayor's Cake

After the morning liturgical celebrations, the festival moves to Piazza Martiri della Libertà, in the heart of Oleggio. Here, in the evening, the traditional concert of the Premiata Banda Filarmonica di Oleggio takes place—a historic ensemble with over 170 years of activity and a true musical heritage of the town. An unmissable moment is the auction of the 'Mayor's Cake', a charity event where proceeds are donated to the parish: a gesture of solidarity that speaks to the community spirit of this festival.

Cultural evenings and in-depth sessions

In the days leading up to June 29th, the parish organizes cultural evenings dedicated to the figure of the patron saints and the local artistic heritage, often hosted in the spaces of the Museum of Religious Art (MAR) in Oleggio. These meetings allow visitors to discover the history of the Antonellian parish church and the deep bond between the town and its patrons.

Experiencing the festival

• An authentic patronal feast in Eastern Piedmont, just a few kilometers from Lake Maggiore and Milan Malpensa Airport.
• An opportunity to visit one of the most remarkable churches in the Novara area, designed by Antonelli.
• Tradition, brass band music, and moments of solidarity in the square.
• A genuine small-town atmosphere, far from mass tourism.

The Patronal Feast of Saints Peter and Paul is much more than a religious anniversary: it is the moment when Oleggio gathers around its own identity, history, and faith.