Saint Anthony Abbot Festival

A festival scented with earth and tradition

In Villar Focchiardo, a village in the lower Susa Valley nestled at the foot of the Orsiera-Rocciavrè Natural Park, in the Metropolitan City of Turin, the Saint Anthony Abbot Festival is one of the most cherished winter events. Celebrated annually around January 17th, it honors the hermit saint revered as the protector of animals, breeders, and farmers—a devotion that retains a concrete, daily meaning here in a valley known for its ancient farming culture and chestnut groves.

The blessing of animals and agricultural machinery

The heart of the festival is the blessing ritual. Following the solemn Mass in the Parish Church of Santa Maria Assunta—a jewel of Savoyard Baroque architecture built between 1717 and 1735—the parish priest imparts the traditional blessing of animals and agricultural machinery on the church square. It is a moment when the community reaffirms its most ancient values: respect for the work of the land, the care of livestock, and the bond with the mountains.

The tractor parade

Among the most spectacular elements is the tractor parade, which winds its way through the village's charming streets. Vintage and modern vehicles parade side by side, showcasing how agriculture remains a vibrant part of this corner of Piedmont. Folkloric elements are ever-present, such as the sound of rudun (cowbells) and traditional songs that bring the day to life.

The Saint Anthony Lunch and the Priori

The festival concludes with the Saint Anthony Abbot Lunch at the multi-purpose hall, preceded by a convivial aperitif: a menu of typical Piedmontese cuisine accompanied by music and singing. Organization is entrusted year by year to the Priori, traditional figures who rotate in the role, often local youths supported by a Godfather and Godmother: a passing of the torch that keeps the festival alive from generation to generation.

Villar Focchiardo, land of chestnuts

Villar Focchiardo is famous throughout the valley for its marroni (chestnuts): chestnut cultivation is a centuries-old tradition, and many of the festival's Priori are themselves chestnut growers and beekeepers. Visiting the village during the Saint Anthony celebrations means discovering an authentic Susa Valley town, where rural traditions are not just postcard folklore, but a living part of the community.