Saint Roch Festival of Monchio delle Corti

A mountain festival in the heart of the Parma Apennines

The Saint Roch Festival is one of the most cherished events in the summer calendar of Monchio delle Corti, a small municipality in the Province of Parma nestled at an altitude of 820 meters between the Enza Valley, the Cedra Valley, and the unspoiled Bratica Valley. Celebrated on August 16th, the day after Ferragosto, the festival is part of a busy August of celebrations that animate the village and its hamlets precisely when the Parma mountains fill up with holidaymakers and families returning to their hometowns.

Saint Roch, the saint of travelers and pilgrims

For centuries, Saint Roch has been one of the most venerated figures in the Apennines: a protector against epidemics, a patron saint of travelers and pilgrims, he is remembered throughout the territory of Monchio delle Corti by numerous votive maestà, small sacred shrines scattered along the paths and in the inhabited areas, cataloged in various locations such as Antria and Lugagnano. The festival on August 16th stems from this deep popular devotion and keeps alive a tradition that intertwines faith, community, and mountain identity.

Between the Park of the Hundred Lakes and the UNESCO MaB Reserve

Experiencing the Saint Roch Festival also means discovering a territory of extraordinary natural value. Monchio delle Corti is indeed part of the Regional Park of the Hundred Lakes and the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park, included in the UNESCO MaB Biosphere Reserve. Hiking trails extend from 800 to 1861 meters above sea level, passing through glacial lakes, ridges, and ancient villages that tell the story of a still-vibrant agricultural and pastoral Apennine region.

An August of festivals in Emilia-Romagna

The festival is not an isolated event: it is at the center of a rich summer program that, during the August weeks in Monchio delle Corti, offers village festivals, local fairs, and moments of conviviality in the various hamlets. It is the perfect opportunity for those seeking an authentic experience of the lesser-known Emilia-Romagna, far from the crowds and immersed in the nature of the high Apennines.