Saint Bernard Patronal Feast of Desertetto

The patronal feast of a mountain hamlet

In the heart of the Gesso Valley, in Desertetto, a hamlet of Valdieri in the province of Cuneo, the Saint Bernard Patronal Feast is one of the most anticipated events of the summer. For a few days, this small Alpine village, nestled in the lush greenery of the Piedmontese mountains at the gates of the Maritime Alps Park, comes alive with people, music, and ancient traditions passed down through generations.

Devotion and tradition

The most solemn moment of the festival is the procession in honor of Saint Bernard, followed by mass accompanied by a children's choir, which draws many worshippers and vacationers to the hamlet. Surrounding the religious rite is a program full of popular initiatives designed to engage both young and old, keeping the community's bond with its land alive.

Horses, polenta, and conviviality

The festival traditionally opens with the arrival of the horsemen and their horses at the green area of the former ski lifts, the heart of the outdoor events. There is no shortage of traditional set-menu dinners, evening bonfires, folk music with accordion and guitar, and old-time songs. The most beloved gastronomic highlight remains the grand polenta feast, served outdoors and accompanied by local specialties, alongside evenings featuring roast pork, chips, beer, and musical entertainment.

A feast for the whole community

Recent editions have also featured a non-competitive walk for children and teenagers through the hamlets, complete with a race pack and a final snack, as well as musical afternoons animated by folk groups and traditional bands. The event is organized by the Circolo Acli San Lorenzo e Desertetto with the support of the Municipality of Valdieri, the Gesso Valley Pastoral Unit, and the many volunteers who make the festival possible every year.

Piedmontese traditions in the Gesso Valley

The Saint Bernard Patronal Feast of Desertetto is a living testament to Piedmontese patronal feasts in the Alpine valleys: events tailored to the hamlet, where faith, food, and folk music intertwine to celebrate the identity of a mountain community. A precious opportunity to discover the Gesso Valley and the authentic hospitality of the Cuneo region.