Santa Brigida Festival

A centuries-old festival among the mountain huts of Roncegno Terme

The Santa Brigida Festival has been celebrated for over a century in the mountain hamlet of the same name in the Municipality of Roncegno Terme, Valsugana, in the Province of Trento (Trentino-Alto Adige). It is a deeply rooted community event that brings together inhabitants scattered across the mountain huts of Santa Brigida, Monte di Mezzo, and the high mountain areas, many of whom are descendants of families who emigrated to the Americas and Europe between the 19th and 20th centuries.

The "thrush festival"

Everyone in the village still calls it the "thrush festival", in memory of what was once served: birds hunted during the autumn, a rare occasion to bring meat to the table. Since bird hunting was banned in 1992, the tradition has continued with polenta and melted cheese, accompanied by stroboi, the typical local pastries. The meal is cooked and served directly on the churchyard.

A unique setting: the churchyard among the graves

What makes the festival truly special is its setting: you eat on the churchyard, among the graves surrounding the church, a rather rare sight in Trentino. The reason is historical: the Napoleonic Edict of Saint-Cloud of 1804, which banned burials around churches, was never applied in this area, so the small cemetery remained nestled against the sacred building, becoming an integral part of the festivities.

The campanò, the heart of the tradition

The community is called to the festival by the campanò, a evocative concert of the bells of the Santa Brigida church, audible from a great distance. In the days leading up to the feast and throughout its duration, the bronze bells mark the moments of the celebration, calling out to the faithful and visitors alike. The day opens with Holy Mass and continues in a simple, convivial atmosphere, where it is not uncommon to hear the sound of a mandolin mingling with the tolling of the bells.

The Museum of Folk Musical Instruments

Next to the church, in the former rectory, the Museum of Folk Musical Instruments has been housed since 2012, holding a collection of over a thousand instruments, many dating back to the 19th century. Its presence further enriches the festive day and testifies to the deep bond between this mountain community and its traditional music.

A defining event for Valsugana

More than just a gastronomic feast, the Santa Brigida Festival is a collective ritual that strengthens the identity of a small alpine community. Organized entirely by local volunteers, it offers visitors the chance to discover an authentic corner of Valsugana, where tradition, faith, and conviviality still intertwine just as they did in the past.