San Fermo Patronal Feast

The patronal feast of Castellazzo Novarese

The San Fermo Patronal Feast is the celebration that brings Castellazzo Novarese, a small town in the province of Novara, to life every August. Dedicated to the town's patron saint, whose feast day falls on August 9th, the event has for generations been the most anticipated summer appointment for the inhabitants of this corner of the Bassa Sesia, in the heart of eastern Piedmont.

Religious tradition and popular devotion

The heart of the feast is religious in nature. San Fermo, a martyr venerated as the community's patron, is celebrated with a solemn mass in the parish church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which houses the saint's relics. Popular devotion to the patron saint is rooted in the centuries and continues to be the thread that binds the Castellazzo community to its history.

The jubilee feast every 25 years

A distinctive feature of the tradition in Castellazzo Novarese is the jubilee feast which, since 1962, has been celebrated every twenty-five years in honor of San Fermo. On these exceptional occasions, the solemnity is enriched by an extraordinary procession featuring the translation of the saint's relics through all the streets of the town, a moment of great participation that also draws back those who have emigrated elsewhere.

Conviviality, cuisine, and music

Alongside the spiritual dimension, the San Fermo Feast retains the joyful character of Piedmontese village festivals. The organization is largely entrusted to the Associazione Amici di Invaglio, founded in 2016 by a group of friends with the goal of promoting the local area through events that combine good food and music. Under the marquee set up for the occasion, there are dinners, dance evenings, and entertainment open to everyone, in a cheerful atmosphere that involves families, young people, and the elderly.

• Religious celebrations in honor of San Fermo
• Food stalls and dinners under the marquee
• Dance evenings and live music
• Entertainment and festive moments for the entire community

An identity-defining event for the Bassa Sesia

Although it is a local event, the San Fermo Patronal Feast is a precious piece of the Novara summer calendar. Castellazzo Novarese, which is part of the Bassa Sesia Union, finds in this recurrence the most authentic sense of community: faith, shared memory, and the pleasure of being together. For those visiting Piedmont in summer, it is an opportunity to discover the genuine atmosphere of the villages of the Novara plains, far from the major tourist circuits.