A centuries-old pilgrimage of devotion, tradition and mountains. We follow the people of the Lys Valley on their journey to Our Lady of Oropa.

The Fontainemore procession, also known as the Procession of Oropa, is a pilgrimage that takes place every five years at the end of July. During this deeply symbolic event, thousands of people set off from the tiny village of Fontainemore, nestled in the heart of the Lys Valley in the Aosta Valley, to make their way across the Biellese Alps to the Sanctuary of Oropa in Piedmont.

It is one of the oldest religious processions in the region, dating back to the 16th century. The earliest records mention the year 1547, but local tradition places its origins even earlier, in 1522, when the Virgin Mary is said to have miraculously appeared and saved the village of Fontainemore from a deadly outbreak of plague. Since that time, the villagers have organised the procession as an act of devotion and gratitude, as well as to ask for protection from natural disasters, illness, and drought.

The first pilgrims depart at dusk from the hamlet of Pillaz in Fontainemore. Often barefoot, they walk through forests, along mule tracks and mountain paths, crossing streams with the help of torches and headlamps. They ascend to the Colle della Barma, a mountain pass at 2,200 metres above sea level between the Aosta Valley and the Province of Biella. There, they pause at Pian della Ceva, near Monte Camino, to wait for the rest of the faithful.

The main procession begins between Friday night and early Saturday morning. It is a striking sight: banners, processional crosses, sacred statues and images are carried along the route, eventually reaching Pian della Ceva, where everyone waits together in prayer for the first light of dawn before continuing towards the Sanctuary of Oropa.

Along the way are the bâtonniers—men armed with walking sticks—who assist the pilgrims and help maintain order throughout the journey.

Organising such a large and meaningful event takes months of preparation and involves the entire population of Fontainemore and nearby villages. Their commitment lies not only in preserving this long-standing tradition but also in carefully respecting the ancient rituals tied to the devotion of the Black Madonna of Oropa.

Leading the procession are men and boys wearing white scarves around their necks, followed by women and girls draped in long white veils. Together, they chant religious hymns and recite prayers in unison.

The procession pauses before the Roc dla vita ("Stone of Life") in Oropa, a large glacial boulder beneath which the sacred image of the Virgin was originally kept. Finally, after twelve hours of walking, at around 12:30 pm on Saturday, the pilgrims arrive at the threshold of the Old Basilica of Oropa. In a powerful gesture of humility and reverence, they kneel and kiss the ground before entering the church, where they are welcomed by the Bishop and the Rector of the Marian Sanctuary.

Later that afternoon, a Mass is celebrated, followed by a torchlight procession within the sanctuary’s courtyard.

On Sunday morning, after another Mass, the pilgrims begin their return journey back to Fontainemore, where they are greeted by the joyful ringing of church bells.

This traditional pilgrimage spiritually unites the Biellese and the Aosta Valley, blending faith and community with the physical and emotional effort of the journey.

Since 2023, Fontainemore has been part of the “Most Beautiful Villages of Italy” circuit. This charming village boasts small churches, chapels, a few stone-roofed houses and a 17th-century stone bridge with a single donkey-back arch that spans the Lys stream.

Photo: An image of the procession (from the Sanctuary of Oropa website)