San Feliciano Patronal Feast

The patronal feast of Incisa Scapaccino

The San Feliciano Patronal Feast is the most anticipated event in the calendar of Incisa Scapaccino, a small town of just over two thousand inhabitants nestled in the hills of the Monferrato, in the province of Asti (Piedmont). Although the Church commemorates the martyr San Feliciano on October 29th, the patronal celebrations in Incisa have historically taken place on June 8th, a date around which the community gathers to honor the saint who has protected the village for centuries.

San Feliciano, the patron saint

San Feliciano is venerated as a martyr of the Christian tradition, and the local cult of the townspeople is dedicated to him. Local devotion centers on the Church of the Carmine, which hosts the most solemn moments of the festival, from religious services to the musical events that have enriched the celebrations in recent years.

Music and community

The festival combines spiritual, cultural, and social dimensions. In recent editions, the patronal evening has been enlivened by prestigious concerts: on June 8, 2023, for example, the Church of the Carmine hosted the Orchestra of the IIS Umberto Eco Musical High School of Alessandria, conducted by Flavio Pesce, in a program dedicated to the history of cinema told through music, with free admission. Live music has thus become one of the most beloved ingredients of the occasion, alongside the gathering of the population around their saint.

A village with ancient roots

Incisa Scapaccino boasts a centuries-old history: it was the seat of an Aleramici marquisate and for a long time bore the name Incisa Belbo. Today, the town is also known for its food and wine excellence, above all the Cardo Gobbo (humped cardoon) and Barbera wine, and for its lively local associations, with the Gruppo Storico Incisa 1514 and the reborn Pro Loco Incisa 1514 enlivening the entire calendar of local events. The San Feliciano Feast, however, remains the quintessential identity-defining moment, where religious tradition and a sense of belonging merge in the heart of the Asti Monferrato.