Saint Julius Patronal Feast

The Patronal Feast of Orta San Giulio

Every year, at the end of January, the village of Orta San Giulio, in the Province of Novara, pays tribute to its patron saint with the Saint Julius Patronal Feast. It is one of the most heartfelt traditions in the Cusio area: two days of religious celebrations that gather the inhabitants of Orta and neighboring towns around the figure of Saint Julius, the evangelizer of these lands and patron saint of stonemasons.

Who was Saint Julius

According to tradition, Saint Julius landed on the island of Lake Orta to liberate it, founding the church that is now the Basilica of San Giulio, home to his relics. The island bearing his name is the spiritual heart of the festival: a small treasure chest of stone and silence, now inhabited by a community of Benedictine nuns, reachable in a few minutes by boat from Piazza Motta.

The rites and the procession

The most anticipated moment is the procession with the Saint's relics, which winds along the only road on the Island of San Giulio, starting and ending in front of the Basilica. The procession is led by the historic Confraternities of San Bernardino and the Sacred Heart, who carry the reliquary containing the Saint's bust. Until the 20th century, the procession took place by water, circumnavigating the island; a violent storm forced it to be moved to the island's mainland, and the tradition has continued uninterrupted since 1973.

The auction of offerings

The festival also preserves the ancient rite of the incanto delle offerte, an auction of goods donated by the faithful, where a lamb has always represented the most prestigious offering. According to a promise handed down through generations, the Lunati family donates it every year in memory of an ancestor who survived a storm on the lake.

One of Italy's most beautiful villages

The setting is Orta San Giulio, listed among the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy: medieval alleys, the UNESCO-listed Sacro Monte, and the scenic Piazza Motta overlooking the island. Visiting the village during the patronal feast means capturing its most authentic soul, far from the summer crowds, in the intimate atmosphere of the Cusio winter.