Saint Anthony of Padua Celebrations - Sanctuary of Anzino
The great devotional festival of Upper Piedmont at the Sanctuary of Anzino, in Val d'Anzasca
About Saint Anthony Festival in Anzino
An ancient devotional festival in the heart of Val d'Anzasca
The Saint Anthony of Padua Celebrations take place at the Sanctuary of Anzino, a village in the municipality of Bannio Anzino, in the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola (VB), in northeastern Piedmont. Nestled on the slopes of Val d'Anzasca at the foot of Monte Rosa, the sanctuary has been the most important center of devotion to Saint Anthony in Upper Piedmont for centuries: a destination that, every mid-June, draws pilgrims from the Ossola and Valsesia valleys, as well as from the Cusio and Lake Orta areas.
From the 1669 painting to today
The history of this devotion dates back to January 1669, when a painting depicting the Child Jesus appearing to Saint Anthony was solemnly brought to the village. The work was commissioned by emigrants from Anzino who had made their fortune in Rome through the wine trade. Tradition tells that when the painting arrived, lilies bloomed: from that moment, the pilgrimages that continue to this day began. Saint Anthony was officially confirmed as the patron saint of the village on May 13, 1908, but the sanctuary, with its 1677 bell tower and subsequent expansions, had long been the spiritual hub of the territory.
Novena, processions, and blessings
The festival is not just a single day, but a journey of over a week. The novena precedes the festivities with nine evenings of sung masses by local parish choirs, presided over by priests from the Ossola region and friends of the sanctuary. The heart of the celebration is the evocative procession of the 13 laps around the sanctuary, accompanied by a solemn mass with the statue of the saint, and the blessing of bread and lilies. Sunday combines the celebrations of Saint Anthony and Saint Bernard of Aosta, both patrons of Anzino, with the Corpus Domini procession and the accompaniment of the Award-Winning Musical Corps of Bannio.
Art and devotional paths
Religious celebrations are complemented by cultural moments: in conjunction with the festival, the exhibition Devotional and Artistic Paths between Valais, Ticino, Ossola, Valsesia, and Lake Orta is set up at the Don E. Manini Library, recounting the dense network of pilgrimages and artistic heritage that connects this corner of Piedmont to the surrounding alpine valleys. A festival that, beyond the dimension of faith, is an opportunity to discover an authentic and little-known mountain territory.
Saint Anthony Festival in Anzino — edition 2026
For 2026, the Sanctuary of Anzino, in the municipality of Bannio Anzino (VB), offers its usual rich calendar of celebrations dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua. The festivities open with the novena from June 4 to 12 and culminate on the two main days of June 13 and 14, the latter shared with the feast of Saint Bernard of Aosta, co-patron of the village. The exhibition Devotional and Artistic Paths between Valais, Ticino, Ossola, Valsesia, and Lake Orta accompanies the celebrations from June 4 to 28 at the Don E. Manini Library.
Programme Saint Anthony Festival in Anzino 2026
Novena — June 4-12
Every evening at 8:30 PM, Holy Mass with local parish choirs, presided over by priests from the Ossola region and friends of the sanctuary:
- June 4 — Bannio Choir (Fr. Francesco David)
- June 5 — Cimamulera Choir (Fr. Daniel Corrias)
- June 6 — Druogno Choir (Fr. Luca Ariola)
- June 7 — Masera Choir; 5:30 PM Tredicina (Fr. Marco Piola)
- June 8-11 — Sanctuario, Oira, Baceno, and Montecrestese Choirs
- June 12 — First Vespers and blessing of the lilies
Saturday, June 13 — Feast of Saint Anthony
Celebrations presided over by Monsignor Stefano Bedello:
- 6:00 AM — Mass at the saint's altar with blessing of the bread
- 7:00 AM — Mass
- 8:00 AM — Mass
- 10:00 AM — Procession of the 13 laps around the sanctuary
- 10:30 AM — Solemn Mass and procession with the statue of the saint
- 3:30 PM — Solemn Vespers
Sunday, June 14 — Saint Anthony and Saint Bernard of Aosta
Celebrations presided over by Monsignor Raffaello Martinelli:
- 11:00 AM — Solemn Mass and Corpus Domini procession
- 4:00 PM — Solemn Vespers and processions with the statues of the saints, groups, confraternities, and the Award-Winning Musical Corps of Bannio
Highlights Saint Anthony Festival in Anzino 2026
Prices Saint Anthony Festival in Anzino 2026
Practical information — Saint Anthony Festival in Anzino
How to get there
The Sanctuary of Saint Anthony is located in the village of Anzino, in the municipality of Bannio Anzino (VB), in Val d'Anzasca. It can be reached by car by driving up the Anzasca valley from the Ossola plains; the village is served by a mountain road. It is advisable to check parking availability on the main days of the festival, when the influx of pilgrims is high.
Services for pilgrims
On the sanctuary's churchyard, there is a souvenir point where certificates can be collected. For those wishing to stay, accommodation and dining options are available at the former G. and C. Titoli Asylum (tel. +39 348 0368661) and the ACLI Club (tel. +39 348 3603546).
Admission
Participation in the celebrations is free and open to all. The related exhibition at the Don E. Manini Library in the square in Anzino also has free admission.
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Where does it take place — Saint Anthony Festival in Anzino
Santuario di Sant'Antonio da Padova di Anzino
Frazione Anzino, 28871 Bannio Anzino