Saint Anthony Abbot Festival — Carrettieri Parade

A rural tradition in the heart of the Biella area

The Saint Anthony Abbot Festival is one of the most deeply rooted events in the calendar of Vigliano Biellese, a town in the Province of Biella, Piedmont. Saint Anthony Abbot, celebrated in mid-January, has been the patron saint of domestic animals and those who work the land for centuries: this is why his feast is particularly dear to the rural world and the carrettieri, the historic horse-drawn transport workers who established a long-standing association in Vigliano.

The organizers: the Carrettieri Association

The event is kept alive by the Associazione Carrettieri di Vigliano Biellese, founded in 1923, which celebrated its centenary in 2023. With passion and dedication, members prepare the parade each year and preserve vintage carriages and harnesses, passing down a heritage of trades and memories linked to the Biella countryside. There are always surprises: in recent editions, a restored carriage was presented, symbolizing the commitment to keeping the past alive while looking toward the future.

The parade through the town streets

The heart of the festival is the procession that winds through the main streets of Vigliano. The gathering is scheduled for early morning, around 8:30 AM, followed by the start of the parade around 9:30 AM. Horses, carriages, tractors, and vehicles parade side by side in a charming encounter between tradition and modern machinery, accompanied by the notes of the Valdengo Philharmonic Band.

Blessing, mulled wine, and Holy Mass

Upon reaching Largo Stazione (Piazza Mercato), the procession stops for the blessing of vehicles and animals, a moment of great symbolic value for those who work the land. Attendees are offered traditional mulled wine to warm up the winter morning. The religious celebration continues with Holy Mass, around 11:00 AM, in the parish church of Santa Maria Assunta, during which deceased members are also remembered.

Conviviality and social lunch

The day concludes with a social lunch at the Carrettieri Association headquarters, a convivial occasion that strengthens community ties. The Saint Anthony Abbot Festival is much more than just a simple anniversary: it is a way for Vigliano Biellese to celebrate its rural roots, the identity of the territory, and the sense of belonging to the Biella community.