Saint George the Martyr Patronal Feast and the Suppression of the Feudal Lord

One of the most evocative traditions in the Susa Valley

The Saint George the Martyr Patronal Feast is the heart of the identity of San Giorio di Susa, a small town in the Susa Valley, in the province of Turin, Piedmont. Every year, around April 23rd, the day of the saint's liturgical memorial, the village gathers around its church and medieval castle for a week of festivities culminating in the Suppression of the Feudal Lord, a legendary historical re-enactment considered one of the most heartfelt and spectacular in the entire Susa Valley.

The Spadonari and the sword dance

The most fascinating element of the festival is the Spadonari: after escorting the statue of Saint George during the solemn procession through the village streets, they perform their famous sword dance. It is a ritual with ancient roots, linked to the spring traditions of the Susa Valley: the dancers perform synchronized movements and figures symbolizing the triumph of light over winter and the awakening of the earth after the cold months. It is no coincidence that the name George itself refers, in Greek, to the "farmer," linking the saint to agricultural rites and fertility.

The legend of the Suppression of the Feudal Lord

On Sunday afternoon, the streets and squares of the village turn into the stage for the legendary historical re-enactment. The performance was conceived in 1929 by Attilio Bar, who wrote the long script, and has since surpassed ninety editions. The plot tells of an oppressed people rebelling against the tyrannical feudal lord of the Bertrandi family: the lord demands the jus primae noctis on the bride, and the groom, the Abbà, faces him in a sword duel to redeem the freedom of the community and his betrothed, the Mignona. The climactic scene is the fight that ends with the death of the feudal lord, a symbol of popular liberation.

An entire community on stage

The re-enactment involves about one hundred villagers, including extras, ladies-in-waiting, shepherdesses, farmers, and nobles, with the participation of the Countess Adelaide of Susa Historical Group. The historical pageant crosses the village up to the medieval castle, accompanied by medieval songs, dances, and performances. The day ends with the descent along Via Parrocchia and the traditional Girunda, the final circle dance in Piazza Micellone.

A month-long festival

Alongside the main day, the festival is enriched with numerous side events that enliven the village for weeks:

• Concerts and performances by the Concordia Philharmonic Society
• FAI narrated walks to discover the local Middle Ages
• The San Giors Market and the opening of MuseAbile
• Literary presentations, photographic and art exhibitions
• The evening torchlight procession of the participants to the castle

Participating in the Saint George Feast means discovering San Giorio di Susa in its most authentic dimension, where history, legend, and faith intertwine in one of the most beloved collective rites of the Susa Valley.