Saint James Patronal Feast

The Patronal Feast of Soriso

On July 25th, Soriso, a small hillside village in the Province of Novara, gathers to honor its patron saint with the Saint James the Greater Patronal Feast. It is the most significant event on the local calendar: a day when the community pauses its daily routine to come together, through religious celebrations and festive moments, in the spirit of a tradition passed down through generations.

Saint James, patron of the village

Saint James the Greater, the Apostle celebrated by the Church on July 25th, has been the protector of Soriso for centuries. The bond between the village and its saint is embodied by the beautiful Parish Church of Saint James, built on the ruins of an ancient castle and existing as early as 1485. Expanded towards the end of the 16th century and consecrated in 1599 by Bishop Carlo Bescapè, the church features a characteristic portico with thirty-six granite columns and, in the choir vault, frescoes painted in 1733 by Tarquinio Grasso depicting scenes from the life of Saint James the Greater. Inside, one can also find a 1603 altarpiece by Andrea Majnardi and a fresco of the Madonna attributed to Gaudenzio Ferrari.

A village with ancient roots

Soriso is located in the Cusio region, halfway between Lake Orta and the plains. Its name, according to tradition, derives from the "Hill of the Usii," the ancient population of hunters and fishermen who inhabited these lands before the arrival of the Romans. The patronal feast is the occasion when this long history comes to life: the village streets come alive, families reunite, and the flavors of Piedmontese cuisine accompany a day of community spirit.

Tradition, faith, and conviviality

As is the case in many Piedmontese villages, the Saint James feast unites the sacred with the social. The Solemn Holy Mass in honor of the patron saint is the religious heart of the day, while the areas surrounding the parish church host the gatherings that make this feast a highly anticipated event for the entire Soriso community. It is an authentic experience for those wishing to discover the most genuine side of small-town Italy, far from the major tourist circuits.