Rimella Carnival – Paniccia

The Rimella Carnival in Val Mastallone

In Rimella, a small town in the Province of Vercelli nestled in Val Mastallone, Carnival carries the aroma of paniccia, the hearty soup that accompanies the festive season throughout the Valsesia valley. Here, in the oldest Walser settlement in the area, the celebration isn't about grand floats, but about conviviality: people gather around a steaming cauldron to share a hot meal and strengthen the bonds of a mountain community.

Paniccia, the soul of the Valsesian Carnival

Paniccia is a substantial dish with recipes that vary from village to village. Every town in Valsesia guards its own version, made with rice or pasta, vegetables, legumes, and meat, slow-cooked in large pots by dedicated volunteers. More than just a dish, it is an ancient communal ritual born from solidarity, now a symbol of the Carnival in these valleys. In Rimella, the paniccia is served by the Pro Loco for both lunch and dinner, with mandatory reservations to ensure everyone can be seated at the same table.

Rimella, a Walser village in Piedmont

Rimella is considered the first Walser village in Valsesia. The Walser heritage is still visible in the local dialect, the sturdy wood-and-stone buildings, and the terraced slopes that shape the landscape. The Church of San Michele Arcangelo stands out in the village center as one of the most beautiful in the entire valley, while the Ethnographic Museum named after Giovanni Battista Filippa houses coins, ancient books, and artifacts of rural life. Participating in the paniccia day is a unique opportunity to discover a corner of the Alpine Piedmont where traditions are passed down from generation to generation.

A celebration that continues

Beyond the paniccia, the Rimella Carnival features festive moments at the Pro Loco hall, such as the Gran Ballo del Barba Giuan, a dance evening featuring guest masks. It is an authentic and intimate Carnival, far from mass tourism, perfect for those seeking the true atmosphere of the mountain villages of Valsesia.