Saint Barnabas Festival – Borgata Soubras

A mountain patronal feast in Oulx

The Saint Barnabas Festival is the patronal feast of Borgata Soubras, one of the most picturesque hamlets in the municipality of Oulx, in the province of Turin, in the heart of the Upper Susa Valley (Piedmont). Every year, near June 11th—the date the Church commemorates the apostle Saint Barnabas—the small community of the hamlet gathers to honor its patron saint with a simple yet deeply felt celebration.

Soubras, a grassy terrace at 1,480 meters

Soubras stands at an altitude of approximately 1,480 meters, resting on a wide, sun-drenched grassy terrace. It is connected to the nearby hamlet of Pierramenaud by a carriage road and to Amazas by an ancient mule track. It is a place where time seems to have stood still: stone houses, fountains, and two religious buildings that tell the story of the community, the Church of San Rocco (dating back to 1827) and the Chapel of Saint Barnabas.

The chapel and its history

The chapel dedicated to Saint Barnabas dates back to the 16th century and houses frescoes now faded by time. It stands on the site where a pre-Roman necropolis was discovered in the 19th century, a detail that testifies to how ancient the human presence on this mountain terrace is. It is right here, in this small building steeped in memory, that the heart of the festival takes place.

What to expect

The day is dedicated to the religious and communal dimension: the Holy Mass celebrated in the afternoon is the central moment, an opportunity for residents, former inhabitants returning for the occasion, and hikers to come together. Surrounding the service, the festival is also an invitation to visit the hamlet's landmarks and enjoy the mountain air.

• Celebration of Holy Mass in the Chapel of Saint Barnabas
• Gathering of the hamlet community
• Visit to the sites of interest in Soubras and its surroundings

A festival that embodies the spirit of the Alpine hamlets of the Susa Valley: few people, great faith, and an unbreakable bond with their land. For those who love the authentic mountains of Piedmont, Saint Barnabas in Soubras is the perfect opportunity to discover a village off the beaten tourist track, set amidst meadows and peaks just a stone's throw from the French border.