Saint John the Baptist Patronal Feast

The patronal feast of Montemarzino

Perched on a scenic hill between the Grue and Curone valleys, the small village of Montemarzino, in the province of Alessandria (Piedmont), celebrates its patron saint, Saint John the Baptist, every year with a festival deeply cherished by the community. The village's parish church is dedicated to the Baptist, and the liturgical feast day on June 24th marks the spiritual heart of the celebration.

A community tradition

In a municipality with just over three hundred inhabitants, the patronal feast is much more than a religious appointment: it is the moment when the entire village, including the numerous hamlets such as Scrimignano, Zebedassi, and Segagli, and Segagliate, gathers to spend time together. After Holy Mass in honor of the patron saint, the festivities shift to conviviality with an open-air dinner open to all, followed by a fireworks display that illuminates the sky over the Tortona Hills.

In the Tortona Hills

The setting is one of ancient Ligurian origin, once crossed by the "Salt Roads" that connected Genoa to the Po Valley. Today, Montemarzino is known for the ruins of its medieval castle, the Romanesque apse in the Scrimignano hamlet, and above all for its DOC wines of the Tortona Hills: the white Timorasso, the red Barbera and Dolcetto, as well as the prized white truffle and genuine local products. The Saint John festival is also an opportunity to discover this authentic corner of Piedmont.

How it works

• Religious celebration: Holy Mass in the parish church of Saint John the Baptist.
• Convivial moment: Open-air community dinner featuring traditional dishes.
• Fireworks display to close the evening.

Reservations are mandatory for the dinner. The festival takes place in Montemarzino, in the province of Alessandria, and is organized with the support of the Municipality and the local community.