San Gottardo Festival

The patronal feast of Malesco

The San Gottardo Festival is the most anticipated event of the year for the community of Malesco, the most populous town in the Vigezzo Valley, Piedmont, in the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola. Dedicated to the village's patron saint, the celebration bridges the gap between religious devotion and social conviviality, drawing residents, holidaymakers, and worshippers from neighboring hamlets and villages every year.

Four days of faith and tradition

The festival spans a long weekend between late April and early May, a time when the Vigezzo Valley experiences its spring rebirth and the first outdoor celebrations. The religious program guides the faithful day by day with moments of prayer and reflection, culminating on Sunday when the statue of the patron saint is carried in procession through the village streets.

Religious program

• Holy Rosary and Eucharistic Benediction, opening the festivities;
• Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Eucharistic Benediction;
• Eucharistic Adoration on Saturday evening;
• Solemn Holy Mass and procession through the village streets with the statue of the Saint, the highlight of the festival.

Popular festivities

Alongside the religious celebrations, the Pro Loco Malesco organizes the social gatherings that have always defined this patronal feast. A dance party featuring live music and DJs enlivens Saturday night at the Salone dell'Asilo, while Sunday is dedicated to a community lunch serving mountain culinary classics: polenta, grilled meats, and gnocchi, shared by the whole community in an atmosphere of joy and togetherness.

Malesco and the Vigezzo Valley

Known as the Valley of Painters for its long artistic tradition, the Vigezzo Valley is a corner of Piedmont nestled against the Swiss border, surrounded by forests, alpine pastures, and ancient stone villages. Malesco, its ideal capital, boasts a charming historic center and is part of the Val Grande Verbano Biosphere Reserve. The San Gottardo Festival is the perfect opportunity to discover this authentic territory, experiencing a popular tradition that weaves together devotion, gastronomy, and community identity.