Pilgrimage to the Hermitage of Santa Cecilia

A votive pilgrimage in the heart of Vallagarina

The Pilgrimage to the Hermitage of Santa Cecilia is one of the most cherished summer events in the municipality of Volano, in the province of Trento, Trentino-Alto Adige. Each year, on August 5th, the community gathers to renew a ritual of faith and identity that binds the village to its hermitage, a small church nestled in a rocky niche of the Zengio Ross at an altitude of approximately 770 meters, not far from the famous Castel Pietra.

The history of the hermitage and the vow

The Hermitage of Santa Cecilia was founded in 1611 through popular initiative: initially a votive chapel, it was later expanded into a hermitage and eventually into a distinctive small church. An inscription commemorates the founders of the work. The pilgrimage on August 5th dates back to 1830, when the date was established as a votive procession linked to a drought that struck the fields of Vallagarina; since then, the ascent to the hermitage has become a collective commitment passed down through generations.

The day of August 5th

In the morning, pilgrims gather in the village center on Via Roma to begin their ascent toward the hermitage. Holy Mass is celebrated at the 'Spiaz dele Strie', the meadow that opens up below the small church, and is accompanied by the Santa Cecilia Liturgical Choir of Volano. At the end of the celebration, a beloved symbolic gesture is renewed: the presentation of the 'Pilgrim's Staff' to the youngest and oldest participants, while committee volunteers provide refreshments.

The hermitage itself, accessible only to experienced hikers equipped with mountaineering gear (helmet, harness, and carabiners) along a partially equipped trail, remains open throughout the morning. In case of bad weather, Mass is held at the same time at the Church of San Rocco in the village.

The evening celebration and the community

The day continues in the evening at Parco Legàt on Via Roma, where the Committee opens food stalls and organizes a social gathering with a community dinner and musical entertainment. It is an opportunity for the entire Volano community to come together after the pilgrimage in a festive village atmosphere.

The hermitage and the tradition are preserved by the Santa Cecilia Hermitage Committee of Volano, which formed spontaneously to maintain the site and access trail and to organize cultural and recreational initiatives. Its historic headquarters is Casa Legàt in the village.

Why attend

• An authentic pilgrimage of popular and rural devotion, far from mass tourism and deeply rooted in the local area.
• A breathtaking view of the Vallagarina valley and Castel Pietra.
• The chance to experience a living Trentino tradition that blends faith, mountain life, and community spirit.