Festa della Natività di Maria — Santuario delle Rocche (Molare)
Every 8 September, the feast of the Nativity of Mary, the Santuario delle Rocche above Molare holds its big day: Masses from the morning, a rosary procession up the avenue with the confraternities, a solemn Mass with the Bishop of Acqui, blessed bread, and stalls and a refreshment point outside.
Why it's special
Known locally simply as the feast of 8 September, it is the sanctuary's big day: the confraternities climb the avenue in procession, the Molare parish brought its statue of San Bernardo in 2026, and a pilgrimage comes from neighbouring Cassinelle.
Programme · 2026
Feast of the Nativity of Mary at the Santuario di Nostra Signora delle Rocche.
- The procession leaves from the foot of the avenue at 17:00, so arrive early to walk up with it.
- Confession is available all day and the traditional blessed bread is handed out.
- The stalls are outside the sanctuary, and the refreshment point and charity raffle are in the former nursery school.
The Santuario di Nostra Signora delle Rocche stands just outside Molare, in the Orba valley. Its great day is 8 September, the feast of the Nativity of Mary, which the sanctuary keeps every year.
Masses run from early morning, and the day builds to the late afternoon, when pilgrims and the confraternities set off from the foot of the avenue and climb to the sanctuary reciting the rosary. In 2026 the Molare parish carried its statue of San Bernardo, a pilgrimage came from Cassinelle, and the Bishop of Acqui celebrated the solemn Mass. The traditional blessed bread is handed out, and outside there are stalls and a refreshment point.
It is a devotional day first, but an open one: anyone can join the walk up. For Molare's other feste see the Polentone in August and Molare in Vendemmia in mid-September.