Patronal Feast of the Holy Cross

The village festival in the Oltrepò

Torricella Verzate, a small municipality in the Oltrepò pavese area of the province of Pavia, celebrates its Patronal Feast of the Holy Cross with a day that combines religious and popular dimensions. It is an occasion for the entire community to come together, amidst traditions, folklore, and good food, in one of Lombardy's most renowned wine-growing regions.

A day full of events

The festival begins in the morning at the Sports Centre on Via Roma, with stalls, photographic exhibitions, vintage tractors, and enduro motorcycles animating the area. At midday, gastronomy takes centre stage: the lunch organised by the Pro Loco offers typical dishes such as polenta and cotechino, in the spirit of local peasant tradition.

Afternoon of sport and folklore

In the afternoon, the programme is enriched with martial arts demonstrations, old-fashioned games, and a walk to the Sanctuary accompanied by a treasure hunt, designed to involve families and children. The day concludes with the Solemn Mass at 5:30 PM, a devotional moment that gives meaning to the patronal commemoration.

The flavours of the Oltrepò pavese

The Feast of the Holy Cross is a showcase of the traditions of the Oltrepò pavese, a land of hills, vineyards, and villages. Amidst folklore, typical gastronomy, and family entertainment, the event offers an authentic immersion into local culture, in a municipality that preserves its connection with its agricultural and devotional history.