Rossiglione Sanctuary Festival

A festival on the hill that watches over Portula

The Rossiglione Sanctuary Festival is one of the most cherished events for the community of Portula, a small town in the Province of Biella, Piedmont, overlooking the upper Valsessera valley. The festival takes place around the Rossiglione Sanctuary, the small Marian temple that stands in a panoramic position on the hill dominating the southern part of the town, accessible on foot along a paved mule track.

The sanctuary and its history

The sanctuary, also known as the Oratory of Our Lady of Oropa at Rossiglione, is dedicated to Our Lady of Oropa, the patron saint of the Biella territory. The idea of building it dates back to 1902, when the parish priest Father Benedetto Comella wanted to erect a chapel in honor of the Virgin; the project was entrusted to the engineer Giovanni Feroggio of Camburzano, who drew inspiration from the Renaissance temple painted by Raphael in the Marriage of the Virgin. The building, constructed starting in 1910, features a characteristic decagonal central body topped by a prominent dome and surrounded by an arched portico that runs all around the perimeter wall.

A rebirth signed by volunteers

After years of closure and disuse, the sanctuary has returned to life thanks to the commitment of the "Insieme per Rossiglione" Committee, which, together with the Parish of Portula and the Municipality, promoted a project to safeguard the temple and tidy up the surrounding area. The community contributed with materials, money, flowers, and firewood, driven by the desire not to let a place filled with memory and affection decay.

How the day unfolds

The festival follows a simple and well-established format. The afternoon begins with a gathering on the hill, where participants are welcomed by the notes of the Portula Musical Corps; for those who have difficulty walking up, a shuttle service provided by the Civil Protection is available. This is followed by official speeches and the presentation of the restoration work, then a solemn mass animated by the Cesare Rinaldo Choir of Coggiola. At the end of the celebration, the day continues with songs, music, and refreshments prepared by the volunteers, in a convivial atmosphere that brings together the town's inhabitants and the many who are fond of the sanctuary.

Why it is worth the climb

• A Marian temple with a rare shape, inspired by Raphael, immersed in the greenery of the Biella area.
• A panoramic view of the upper Valsessera valley and the town of Portula.
• An authentic festival, far from tourist traps, where the community is the true protagonist.
• An opportunity to discover a little-known corner of the Piedmontese mountains and its devotion to Our Lady of Oropa.