In spring, Upper Piedmont blossoms into a mosaic of traditions and emotions. Fascinating in every season, during the Easter holidays this territory reveals the best of its beauty and its ancient customs, offering unforgettable moments.
A Journey That Unites Devotion and History
Upper Piedmont transforms Easter into an experience waiting to be discovered, from the Novara area to Vercelli and Valsesia, with processions and re-enactments that recall local history and traditions.
In Romagnano Sesia, every odd-numbered year, the village becomes an open-air theater for the sacred representation of the Passion of Christ. Over the three days of Easter, more than 300 costumed figures, played by local residents, stage the final hours of Jesus and his Resurrection, moving through the streets and squares in an atmosphere charged with feeling. This tradition attracts thousands of visitors, offering an event of great intensity and participation.
In Oleggio, on the other hand, Easter comes alive with the historic Corsa della Torta (Cake Race), where the town’s bachelors race through the streets of the old town to compete for the Palio delle Contrade (Banner of the Districts) and the Mayor’s Cake. Preceding the competition is a Renaissance procession in period costumes that gathers beneath the Torre del Bagliotti, transforming the city into an evocative setting.
Moving to Vercelli, on Good Friday, you can witness the Processione delle Macchine (Procession of the Machines): extraordinary statuesque groups, which are true works of art carved in wood, are carried on the shoulders of hooded members of the confraternities, bringing to life the most intense moments of the Passion of Christ.
Climbing towards Valsesia, in Quarona, Good Friday has been dedicated to the re-enactment of the Via Crucis since 1982. The scenes represented, once itinerant, now take place between Piazza Silvio Pellico and the Church of San Giovanni al Monte, attracting an increasing number of fascinated visitors each year to this moment of history and pathos.
In Varallo, on the other hand, Palm Sunday is ignited with emotion by the Processione delle Sette Marie (Procession of the Seven Marys). The protagonists, seven young women who embody the Sorrows of Mary, open a solemn procession that winds from the Collegiate Church of San Gaudenzio up to the Sacro Monte, a UNESCO World Heritage site, crossing the heart of the city in a fusion of devotion and symbolism that leaves an indelible mark on the soul of those who participate.
During Easter, Upper Piedmont invites you to rediscover its most authentic traditions and to let yourself be surprised by its timeless beauty.
For more information on the project “Vivi Alto Piemonte – A Mosaic of Wonders” and future initiatives,