Welcome Castellania

A day honoring the Campionissimo

January 2nd is no ordinary date for Italian cycling: it marks the day in 1960 when Fausto Coppi, the man who forever changed the history of the sport, passed away. Since then, every year, the village of Castellania Coppi—located in the Province of Alessandria at the foot of the Piedmontese Tortona hills—welcomes those who wish to pay homage to the Campionissimo. Welcome Castellania is the name of this ceremony, a secular pilgrimage that blends reflection, sporting memory, and gratitude.

The heart of the event

The focal point of the day is the Mausoleo dei Fratelli Coppi, where Fausto and his brother Serse rest. The morning begins with a religious service in the village church, followed by a moment of silent reflection at the mausoleum, where flowers are laid in memory of the Campionissimo. It is a sober ritual, far from the spotlight of major events, which annually draws family members, officials, athletes, and simple enthusiasts from every corner of Italy.

An award for those who preserve the memory

Welcome Castellania is more than just a commemoration; it is also an international recognition. During the ceremony, awards are presented to sports journalists, scholars, artists, officials, and benefactors whose work has helped keep Coppi's history alive and transformed Castellania into a true open-air museum. Over the years, the award has celebrated prominent figures in Italian sports journalism and personalities connected to the world of cycling.

Castellania, the open-air museum

The small municipality, which added the name of its most illustrious son to its own in 2019 to become Castellania Coppi, is now a pilgrimage destination for cycling lovers. Casa Coppi, the museum dedicated to the Campionissimo, is its landmark: memorabilia, jerseys, photographs, and mementos recount the epic story of a man who made post-war Italy dream. The January 2nd event often continues in the afternoon in Novi Ligure at the Museo dei Campionissimi.

Why it is worth attending

Attending Welcome Castellania means connecting with one of the most authentic chapters of Italian sports history. It is not a flashy spectacle, but an intimate and emotional experience, immersed in the rolling landscape of south-eastern Piedmont. For those who love cycling and its roots, it is an unmissable appointment.