Patronal Feast of the Madonna del Rocciamelone

A patronal feast between alpine faith and valley tradition

The Patronal Feast of the Madonna del Rocciamelone is the most cherished event in the civil and religious calendar of Susa, in the heart of the Susa Valley, in the Province of Turin. Every year, on August 5th, the municipality and the entire Diocese pay homage to their patron saint, the Madonna del Rocciamelone, venerated for centuries by the communities of the Piedmontese alpine valleys. This devotion is rooted in the history of the Rocciamelone, a mountain considered sacred since ancient times, which became a destination for Marian pilgrimages starting in 1358, when Bonifacio Rotario d'Asti brought a precious bronze triptych to the summit as a votive offering.

History and the high-altitude sanctuary

In 1899, a monumental bronze statue of the Virgin was erected on the summit of the Rocciamelone, at over 3,500 meters, making it one of the highest sanctuaries in Europe. In 1961, Pope John XXIII officially proclaimed the Madonna del Rocciamelone the patron saint of the city and the Diocese of Susa, cementing a bond that unites the valley's inhabitants, the Alpini, and pilgrims. The original triptych by Bonifacio Rotario is preserved today and is carried in procession during the festival days, serving as a precious symbol of the community's spiritual memory.

The religious program

Celebrations are concentrated in the first days of August, with a three-day preparation period at the Mompantero Sanctuary, at the foot of the Rocciamelone. The days are marked by Holy Masses, the recitation of the rosary, confessions, and moments of prayer, led in turn by the various communities of the valley.

• Daily Masses and evening celebrations in the days leading up to the feast
• On August 5th, the solemn day, a Pontifical Mass presided over by the Bishop of Susa
• In the afternoon, a celebration dedicated to the living and deceased priors
• In the evening, the evocative procession that accompanies the historic triptych to the Cathedral of San Giusto, with the participation of the Alpini

The evening show

Alongside the religious dimension, the patronal feast offers a moment of great popular appeal: in Piazza della Repubblica, at the end of the services, an extraordinary evening show of water, fire, and lasers takes place, included in the rich summer program of the City of Susa. It is an opportunity for residents, vacationers, and tourists to experience an evening of celebration together that brings the patronal festivities to a spectacular close.

Susa, gateway to the valley

Rich in Roman and medieval landmarks, from the Arch of Augustus to the Cathedral of San Giusto itself, Susa has always been a crossroads between Italy and France along the great alpine routes. The Patronal Feast of the Madonna del Rocciamelone is an ideal opportunity to discover this Piedmontese city, its mountain identity, and a tradition that continues to unite faith and community.