Saint Andrew's Feast (Patron Saint of Torbole)

The patronal feast of Torbole

The Saint Andrew's Feast is the most cherished event for the community of Torbole, a village in the municipality of Nago-Torbole located on the northern shore of Lake Garda, in the province of Trento (Trentino-Alto Adige). Saint Andrew, the apostle and patron saint of fishermen, is celebrated annually around November 30th, the day of his liturgical feast. It is a celebration that bridges popular faith and local identity, symbolically closing the season and bringing the lakeside community together.

The Church of Saint Andrew and its bond with the lake

The heart of the celebration is the Church of Saint Andrew, an ancient building perched above Torbole, surrounded by olive trees and offering a panoramic view of Lake Garda. The first records of the chapel date back to 1175: a site that tells the story of the centuries-old relationship between the local community and its waters, once the lifeblood for fishermen and boatmen.

The festival program

The day begins in the morning with a solemn High Mass in honor of the patron saint, celebrated in the presence of the Archbishop of Trento, also serving as a thanksgiving for the tourism and hospitality season that defines modern-day Torbole. At the end of the service, the most evocative moment takes place:

• the blessing of the lake, performed from the Casèl harbor on the shores of Lake Garda;
• a reception hosted by local associations at the Colonia Pavese, a sign of the village's hospitality;
• in the afternoon, the opening of the stand for the traditional chestnut roast at the Casèl, with roasted chestnuts for all ages.

The festival is free to attend and is designed for the entire community: adults, seniors, families, children, and young people. The event is organized by the Municipality of Nago-Torbole in collaboration with the parish and local associations.

Torbole and the Trentino side of Lake Garda

Celebrating Saint Andrew at the end of November means experiencing Torbole in a different light compared to summer: far from the crowds of sailors and surfers who populate the waters in the warmer months, the village gathers around its traditions, amidst the scent of chestnuts and the golden landscape of the olive groves. An authentic festival that allows visitors to discover the most intimate side of Trentino's Lake Garda, in a corner of the Trentino-Alto Adige region where lake and mountains meet.