Sacred Heart of Jesus Festival — Cagnò

A festival that captures the heart of the village

The Sacred Heart of Jesus Festival is the most eagerly awaited event of the year in Cagnò, a small village nestled among the apple orchards of the Val di Non, now a hamlet of the Municipality of Novella (Autonomous Province of Trento, Trentino-Alto Adige). For decades, the community has gathered on the second Sunday of July to pay homage to the devotion to the Sacred Heart—one of the village's most deep-rooted religious traditions—and to spend three days enjoying conviviality, good food, and music.

Cagnò and the Val di Non

Situated at an altitude of about 700 meters, amidst orchards and forests, Cagnò retains the identity of the rural villages of the upper Val di Non. Formerly an independent municipality until 2020, it is now part of Novella along with Brez, Cloz, Revò, and Romallo. The parish church, dedicated to Saint Valentine of Mais, houses a 17th-century structure; alongside the devotion to the patron saint, the community has always nurtured a special veneration for the Sacred Heart of Jesus, celebrated with this very festival. The event is organized with dedication by the Pro Loco Cagnò APS, often in collaboration with the local youth.

Three days of festivities

The festival program traditionally spans a weekend:

• Friday: A cheerful opening with a spaghetti dinner and an evening of music and dancing, often with entertainment for younger guests.
• Saturday: The traditional dinner featuring tortei di patate (potato fritters) and strangolapreti (spinach dumplings), accompanied by live music, often including Tyrolean sounds and dance music.
• Sunday: The highlight of the event, featuring a religious service in the morning, a community lunch showcasing typical valley products, afternoon entertainment for children, the raffle draw, and a closing evening of dinner and dancing.

Flavors of the Nonesa tradition

The festival is also an opportunity to savor the mountain cuisine of the Val di Non: the famous fried tortei di patate, strangolapreti, local cured meats, and cheeses, along with the products that make the valley famous, starting with its apples. Everything is prepared by the volunteers of the Pro Loco, the beating heart of the organization.

An authentic experience

Those who visit the Sacred Heart Festival in Cagnò discover the genuine hospitality of a Trentino village, far from the major tourist crowds. It is the ideal occasion to combine a trip into the nature of the Val di Non—among apple orchards, trails, and views of the Brenta Dolomites—with the warmth of a village festival experienced with enthusiasm by the entire community.