San Rocco Patronal Festival

The Patron Saint of Bogogno

Saint Roch (San Rocco) of Montpellier, a pilgrim and miracle-worker invoked since the Middle Ages as a protector against epidemics, is the patron saint of Bogogno, a small town in the Province of Novara, Piedmont. His feast day falls on August 16th and has for centuries been the most heartfelt event in the local calendar: a moment when the community gathers around its religious and civil identity, featuring liturgical celebrations, processions, and local festivities.

The Oratory of San Rocco

The heart of the festival is the historic Oratory of San Rocco, a building erected in the mid-16th century following a vow by the local population in gratitude to the saint, who was invoked as a protector against the plague epidemics that struck the Novara territory. A historical and religious landmark for Bogogno, the oratory has recently been restored to full functionality thanks to the recovery work promoted by the parish of Sant'Agnese.

The 2026 Jubilee

The 2026 edition is an exceptional event. As Mayor Pietro Sacco noted, "this year in August we celebrate the Jubilee festivities, which occur every twenty-five years": a cycle that makes 2026 a rare and highly anticipated milestone in the community's history. In preparation for this anniversary, a major restoration project of the Oratory of San Rocco was launched at the beginning of 2026—including repainting the walls, installing new wood and glass doors, and securing the mezzanine—with the support of the Ministry of Culture, ensuring the patron saint's church could return, in the mayor's words, "to its maximum splendor" for the Jubilee celebrations.

Tradition and Community

The San Rocco Patronal Festival is, first and foremost, a village celebration: the religious observances around August 16th are accompanied by moments of conviviality and gathering that have animated Bogogno for generations during the height of summer. It is the perfect opportunity to rediscover the Novara hills, a land of vineyards and quiet villages just a few kilometers from Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore, far from the most beaten tourist paths. For those looking to discover the authentic soul of Piedmont, the patronal festival of Bogogno offers a small window into the community life of this corner of the Novara province.