San Giovanni Vincenzo Patronal Feast

A festival with roots in the Middle Ages

The San Giovanni Vincenzo Patronal Feast is the most cherished annual event in Sant'Ambrogio di Torino, a small town in the Metropolitan City of Turin, Piedmont, nestled at the entrance to the Susa Valley at the foot of Mount Pirchiriano, home to the famous Sacra di San Michele. Each year, the community gathers around its patron saint on the Sunday closest to November 21st—the saint's liturgical date—creating a celebration that weaves together faith, historical memory, and village festivities.

Who was San Giovanni Vincenzo

Born in Besate, near Milan, around 955, Giovanni Vincenzo served as Archbishop of Ravenna before retiring as a hermit in a cave on Mount Caprasio. Tradition links him to the founding of the Sacra di San Michele, a symbol of Piedmont that overlooks the entire valley. His relics are kept under the high altar of the parish church of Sant'Ambrogio and represent the spiritual heart of the feast.

The Abbà and the ancient Abbadia

The most distinctive element of the celebration is the figure of the Abbà, representing the Società Abbadia, a male brotherhood whose origins date back to 1150. Every year, the Abbà is elected based on seniority, and on the morning of the feast, he receives the scirfa from his predecessor—a blue sash adorned with golden embroidery. In the afternoon, following a centuries-old ritual, he delivers the traditional speech on horseback on the church parvis, accompanied by the Abbadia's halberdiers.

The procession of the relics

The highlight is the solemn procession of the saint's relics, carried through the town streets after the solemn mass, accompanied by municipal authorities and members of the Abbadia. In the days leading up to the event, the traditional sonnet of the Abbà is distributed throughout the town, while choral concerts and prayer services animate the parish church.

Market fair and gastronomy

Surrounding the religious dimension is the large market fair, featuring exhibitors, typical Susa Valley products, handicrafts, and food stalls. Local families dedicate themselves to preparing traditional dishes, including turnips, stuffed onions, and paste di meliga, cornmeal cookies that are a symbol of Piedmontese peasant cuisine. There is no shortage of exhibitions, musical performances, theatrical moments, and family activities, making the feast an event for all ages.

A heritage to experience

Visiting the San Giovanni Vincenzo Patronal Feast means discovering one of the most authentic and ancient traditions in the Turin area, where religious ritual, the medieval legacy of the Abbadia, and the conviviality of the market fair merge into a single day of community. It is also an ideal opportunity for those who wish to combine the festivities with a climb up to the Sacra di San Michele.