Spring Festival of the Friends of San Bernardo

A mountain festival between faith and tradition

The Spring Festival of the Friends of San Bernardo is an intimate and heartfelt event held in Sparone, an ancient village in the western Canavese nestled in the heart of the Orco Valley, in the Province of Turin (Piedmont). It is not a major tourist attraction, but one of those local traditions that preserve the identity of a territory: a gathering of worshippers, hikers, and mountain lovers who, every year with the arrival of the mild season, climb up to the San Bernardo chapel to celebrate the spring rebirth together.

The Chapel of Saint Bernard of Menthon

The heart of the festival is the Chapel of Saint Bernard of Menthon and Saint Mary Magdalene, a building founded in 1745—as attested by the inscription on the portal's architrave—and located in the Mares area, below Cima Mares (1,601 m), between Monte Soglio and high-altitude pastures. The chapel can only be reached on foot, following a trail that crosses woods, mountain huts, and typical Canavese hamlets. Inside, it preserves a valuable decorative cycle: behind the altar, the Blessed Virgin Mary with the Child is depicted alongside Saints Bernard of Menthon, Mary Magdalene, Anthony of Padua, Joseph, John the Baptist, and Dominic of Guzman, while the fresco on the facade was restored in 1902 by the painter Frola from Montanaro.

San Bernardo, protector of the mountains

Devotion is directed toward Saint Bernard of Menthon, venerated as the patron saint of mountaineers, travelers, and those who live and walk in the mountains: a figure particularly dear to the Alpine communities of Piedmont. The festival thus unites the religious dimension with the hiking experience, in perfect harmony with the spirit of the Orco Valley.

How the day unfolds

The program is simple and revolves around three moments: the hike up to the chapel, the Holy Mass celebrated by Father Valerio D'Amico, and the refreshments offered by the organizers. When the number of worshippers is large, the celebration is held on the meadow in front of the church, as the building cannot accommodate everyone. The offerings collected during the day are destined for the maintenance of the chapel, kept alive precisely thanks to the voluntary commitment of the Friends of San Bernardo.

Variable dates and the link to the equinox

The festival originated as a celebration linked to the spring equinox (traditionally March 21st), but in the high mountains, weather conditions can impose changes: in 2026, due to heavy snowfall, the event initially scheduled for March was postponed to Saturday, May 23rd. It is therefore always advisable to check the updated date on the Valle Soana portal before setting off.