San Biagio Festival

A patronal feast in the heart of Val di Non

The San Biagio Festival is the most cherished winter event for the community of Nanno, a village in the municipality of Ville d'Anaunia, in the province of Trento, in the heart of the Val di Non. Every year, in early February, the Nanno Pro Loco renews the tradition of the feast dedicated to the patron saint, blending religious devotion with popular conviviality. It is one of those authentic village festivals in Trentino-Alto Adige that captures the identity of a small alpine hamlet, where community warmth matters more than any grand display.

The religious moment and the church of San Biagio

The day begins with Mass in honor of San Biagio, celebrated in the morning at the parish church dedicated to the saint. The church of San Biagio in Nanno has medieval origins: the first documented mention dates back to 1281, and a slab embedded in the apse bears the date 1169. The current building was reconstructed around 1950-52, just a few steps from the ancient church, and remains the spiritual hub of the village. The feast of San Biagio, protector of the throat, is particularly dear to alpine farming traditions.

The community lunch: tripe and polenta

The gastronomic heart of the festival is the community lunch, served in the former village bar hall. The signature dish is stewed tripe with polenta and bread, prepared by Pro Loco volunteers according to traditional recipes; for those who prefer, pastela with steaks is also available. A detail highlights the ecological and local spirit of the initiative: participants are asked to bring their own plates and cutlery to avoid plastic waste. Takeaway service is also available, with pre-ordered portions ready for pickup.

Giochi Prolochi, speck weighing, and briscola

In the afternoon, the festivities come alive with the famous Giochi Prolochi, a lighthearted competition between teams involving both adults and children. Other staples of the festival include:

• the speck-weighing contest, a game to guess the exact weight of the cured meat;
• the traditional briscola tournament, a card game beloved in the valley;
• apple fritters, a typical dessert of the Val di Non, a land of apples par excellence.

The spirit of solidarity is an integral part of the event: in some editions, proceeds from specific activities, such as the sale of fritters, have been donated to charity projects.

A Val di Non tradition to experience

The San Biagio Festival is an authentic opportunity to discover the village life of Nanno and the municipality of Ville d'Anaunia, nestled among the apple orchards and castles of the Val di Non. It is not a massive tourist event, but that is precisely its value: a genuine celebration, created by the community for the community, which every year brings good food, games, and the joy of togetherness to the center of the village in the heart of the Trentino winter.