Pilgrimage to San Besso

A pilgrimage between faith and high mountains

The Pilgrimage to San Besso is one of the oldest and most evocative religious traditions shared between the Aosta Valley and Piedmont. From Cogne, in the province of Aosta, the faithful set off to reach the Sanctuary of San Besso, built under a huge rock at over 2,000 meters, in the Soana Valley. The veneration of the martyr San Besso has united the communities of the two valleys for centuries.

A challenging journey

The route from Cogne is reserved for experienced and well-trained hikers: it crosses the Colle dell'Arietta (2,939 m), with sections on snow and passages equipped with fixed ropes. Pilgrims set off the day before and stay overnight at the sanctuary, to be present at the celebration the following morning. It is an experience that requires physical preparation and adequate equipment, but it rewards with high-altitude landscapes of rare beauty.

Mass and procession around the rock

The climax is the Solemn Mass at the sanctuary, followed by the procession with the statue of the martyr around the great rock, the scene, according to tradition, of his martyrdom. It is a rite that blends popular devotion, alpine identity, and connection with the mountain, experienced by generations of Cogne inhabitants.