Not even the landslide in Mutagagia prevented the faithful from attending this annual event; until about ten years ago, a two-day festival was organised there, attracting hundreds of people. Here is what was recorded in the Ecomuseo archives:

Once again this year, the feast day of St Bernard attracted huge crowds, who made their way to the picturesque hamlet along the winding, scenic Bratta Road.

It was a full house at the traditional lunch, which featured sciat, pizzoccheri and polenta – all prepared and served superbly, as they are every year, by the many members of the Marantelli family, who proudly trace their roots back to this beautiful district.

From the poster:

Saturday 18 August, at 7.00 pm: an al fresco and indoor dinner with sciat, sliced meat, sausages, pork chops.

Sunday 19 August, at 11.30 am: Holy Mass

12.30 pm: lunch outdoors and indoors with pizzoccheri, polenta, sausages, pork chops, skewers.

In the afternoon, there will be surprise games featuring a special guest appearance by PAOLO ARGENTO 

After such a warm welcome, how could one not take part in the raffle with its generous prizes to help fund the refurbishment of the Church of La Bratta.

Don Tullio has now informed those present that a proposal has been drawn up to be submitted to the Curia, specifically concerning the restoration of the bell tower and the north wing of the church.

Archive photos by Vanda Cerveri and photos taken today by Monica Gastaldini

Archive:

• Feast of St Bernard 2012
• St Bernard’s Festival 2013
• Feast of St Bernard 2014

L'articolo MESSA PER SAN BERNARDO proviene da Ecomuseo Bianzone.

The title of the evening was: THE MEMORY OF THE TERRITORY.

First of all, the large audience watched the film again or saw it for the first time ‘Faraway Lands – Bratta and Piazzeda’, a production by director Valentina Capone, who has worked with Ecomuseo for years, running various theatre workshops, some of which took place in the garden outside the Palazzetto Besta.

In the presence of some of the actors who took part in the making of the film, people who lived through those times, and relatives of those interviewed – most of whom are no longer with us but live on in our memories – those present embarked on a journey back in time to the first half of the last century. The footage from Don Cyril, parish priest of Bratta from 1939 to 1957 and a keen photographer, came to life through the stories of various residents of Bianzone, supplemented by dramatised scenes.

A number of topics relating to everyday life were discussed, such as the kitchen, the school and the games of yesteryear. Then, in the second part, specific historical events were recalled, such as smuggling, the war, with particular focus on the exodus of Jews from the Bianzone area as well, and the changes that took place after the Second World War, particularly the construction of the Bratta Road e Piazzeda Street and the arrival of electricity.

The following is a presentation of the PRIMARY SCHOOL WEBSITE along with the work carried out over the last two school years and the MAP OF THE CRAFTS COMMUNITY which was created thanks to research carried out by the children at Bianzone Primary School as part of the CAMBIAMENTI….STRADA FACENDO project. With the help of families and friends, they mapped out the shops and artisans that existed in the last century, discovering how the village was once self-sufficient and had all the services necessary for daily life. The map now needs the community’s help to be expanded. For this reason, an appeal was made to those present, which is also open to others:

LOOK FOR PHOTOS AND VIDEOS RELATED TO THESE PLACES AND BE WILLING TO SHARE INFORMATION

This material will also be used for another project that Ecomuseo has included in the three-year programme: WE ARE ALPI.

In this case, the first step is to identify the ISSUES that characterise the Bianzone community. To encourage public participation, an online and paper-based questionnaire will be shared shortly.

L'articolo CINEMA ESTATE A MADONNA DEL PIANO proviene da Ecomuseo Bianzone.

L'articolo Colle d’Anzana, la montagna unisce Italia e Svizzera nel segno della speranza proviene da Ecomuseo Bianzone.

The programme

• 11.00 am: Holy Mass at the Church of Saints Joachim and Anne
• 12.30 pm Lunch at the old primary schools featuring: polenta and sausage or pork chop, meat cooked on the griddle, cheeses and soft drinks
• Followed by entertainment and music for everyone

Anyone wishing to walk to Piazzeda can follow the eco-museum trail ‘THE VEGIA ROAD IN PIAZZEDA‘.

Whilst we wait for the event, here are some past editions of the festival taken from the previous Ecomuseo website, along with some photos:

1. 25 July 2011 / Feast of St Anne 2011 On Sunday, 24 July 2011, the weather in the morning did not look at all promising for an outdoor party. At Piazzeda, the organisers were about to call off the preparations, but then, little by little, the clouds parted, the sun peeked out, and the traditional St Anne’s festival got underway once again this year. At 11.30 am, in the little church dedicated to Saints Anne and Joachim, the parents of Jesus’s mother, Holy Mass was celebrated by Don Giovanni, after which everyone gathered in the square in front of the old school to enjoy the traditional polenta. To round off the day, there was a game of tombola with everyone. (Vanda Cerveri)
2. Sunday 29 July 2012: Feast of St Anne in Piazzeda From early morning, the festive ringing of the bells from the little church in Piazzeda carries through the village and the surrounding area, inviting everyone to make their way up to this small, picturesque hamlet for the traditional feast of St Anne. The invitation is heeded, and for a day the heart of the hamlet begins to beat once more. And so the doors of the houses swing open, the church door swings wide, children play by the fountain, and small groups of people sit on the benches brought outside for the occasion, reminiscing about times gone by … The neighbourhood comes to life again, the church fills up for Mass, and then the tempting aroma of buckwheat polenta draws everyone to the square in front of the old school for an al fresco lunch cooked and served by volunteers (even Don Giò steps in as a waiter!). In the afternoon, there is the traditional tombola, which brings together young and old alike. The day then draws to a close with the motorcade making its way down into the valley, though there are also those who attempt the descent along the “strada vegia” (the new road was only built in 1977), following in the footsteps of the many residents of Piazzedaschi who once had to reach the village on foot. It is a truly evocative route that immerses us completely in the lush greenery of nature, where the only sounds are the rustling of leaves stirred by the wind and the song of birds exchanging feelings and warnings from one perch to another amongst the tree branches. (text and photos by V. Cerveri)
3. Anna 2014: 27 July On the occasion of the traditional feast of St Anne, despite the unsettled and rather disheartening weather, the small hamlet of Piazzeda manages to attract a large number of people motivated by the desire to get together and spend Sunday in this relaxing spot, surrounded by nature. At 11.30, Holy Mass was celebrated by Don Giovanni in the quaint little church in the hamlet dedicated to Mary’s parents, Anne and Joachim. Immediately afterwards, we find ourselves in the square in front of the old school It’s easy to enjoy polenta “mès-cia” or “”mugna” (made with buckwheat e maize) accompanied by stew, sausages and pork chops, all cooked and served superbly by a group of local volunteers, to whom we owe a heartfelt thank you. In the afternoon, there’s bingo, walks in the surrounding area and plenty of chatting with friends. (Text by V. Cerveri and (Photos by Emanuela and Vanda Cerveri)

L'articolo FESTA DI SANT’ANNA 2026 proviene da Ecomuseo Bianzone.

Every summer, the festival brings concerts and performances to Valtellina – between Valdidentro and the mountain peaks of the Province of Sondrio – blending artistic excellence with the Alpine landscape.

LeAltreNote isn’t confined to the summer season or the boundaries of the valley. The festival extends to cities in northern Italy such as Milan and Turin, with events that bring the same spirit to these cities: high-quality, accessible music that has the power to surprise.

Soloists, ensembles and internationally trained artists take turns in a programme that spans genres and styles, with a consistently recognisable common thread.

Photos from the 2025 edition of Dorsa Luana

L'articolo FESTIVAL LE ALTRE NOTE 2026 proviene da Ecomuseo Bianzone.

The Cinema Estate initiative began four years ago when, following a suggestion from a group of mums, it was decided to offer families a few evenings of outdoor entertainment. In the first year, the cinema was held in the inner garden of the Palazzetto Besta. Then, for logistical and organisational reasons, it was decided to move to the town centre so as to have an indoor alternative in case of rain.

L'articolo CINEMA ESTATE proviene da Ecomuseo Bianzone.

This year, the event takes place on 4 July, featuring:

• 1.00 pm: the Centre’s café opens and remains open all day
• 4.30 pm: opening of the bouncy castle area
• 6.00 pm: the kitchen opens
• music until 2 am the following day

Directing the traffic were the ever-present volunteers from the Civil Defence.

L'articolo ESTATE A BIANZONE proviene da Ecomuseo Bianzone.

L'articolo AMBRIAJAZZ 2026 proviene da Ecomuseo Bianzone.

A story born in 1986
President Salvatore Scordari, visibly emotional, retraced the steps of a journey that began in 1986, when he had just arrived in the village and accepted the challenge of leading the group, encouraged by his wife Claudia Mevio and his new Valtellina friends. In his speech, Scordari paid tribute to the founding members, delivering a gift to those present and to the families of those who are no longer with us.

Among the names remembered with warm applause were the founders Igino Ronchi, Iolanda Castelanelli, Bruna Garzetti, Laura Nemesi, Stella Augugliaro, Alberto Giudice, Franco Paggi, Erica Zucchetti and Marisa Delle Coste.

Special recognition also went to the current Board staff - Bruna Fiorina, Franca Gosatti, Loretta Caligari, Renato Gusmeroli and Riccarda Negrini - tireless driver of association activities.

The value of wisdom
Bringing greetings from the municipal administration was Deputy Mayor Luana Dorsa, who read a speech focusing on the profound meaning of the “Third Age”. “You are valuable to our community“he began, emphasising that the association is a
example of “continuous becoming” capable of uniting different generations through the desire to be together. The deputy mayor also praised the vitality of the members, mentioning the association's internal walking group.

Projects for tomorrow
Despite the important anniversary, the gaze is already turned to the future. President Scordari expressed the hope that the openness towards young people and others in the country, which has started in recent years, can be further consolidated. “Sbut for new people to join
to us with new enthusiasm and new ideas” concluded the president, symbolically making an appointment for everyone to meet in ten years' time to celebrate the association's half-century anniversary together.

Archive photo by Igino Ronchi and Franca Gosatti

Photo of 21 April 2026 by Franca Gosatti

L'articolo 40 ANNI DI TERZA ETÀ proviene da Ecomuseo Bianzone.

This event, in contrast to the nearby Sanctuary of the Madonna of Tirano, has never been officially recognised, however, a parchment memorial has been found that mentions the “The Apparition. The The manuscript in question was found in 1911 in the Fornonzini-Confortola house, now the site of the nursery school, by priest Federico Cattaneo, coadjutor with the title of spiritual bursar of the Madonna del Piano, and returned to the parish archives. The text reads:

Ad maiorem Dei gloriam et Beatissimae Virginis. Mariae. Ad perpetuam rei memoriam

“In the year one thousand six hundred and seventy-five, on the sixth day of April, Battista de Flagelli, or Fragiti di Bianzone, a simple and God-fearing man, as the Rt Rev. Provost was leaving his house to go and celebrate Mass, met me at the door of my house in the Rectory, all thoughtful and greeting me, said he had something important to discuss with me and I said: and what do you have to tell me?  He said, full of redness, that he did not dare to reveal it, because, being a sinful man, he did not know whether he would believe it, but in any case that he could not keep silent about it, because, after knowing it, he could not have rest or repose unless he revealed it. I pleaded with him, thinking he wanted to talk to me about something else, and he added:
The truth is that on the 26th day of the last month of March, which was the first day after the Annunciation of the Ever-Virgin Mary, after having commended myself to God and to his Most Holy Mother Mary at the beginning of the night, at about two o'clock in the morning, I was awake in bed and saw the poor, black house, in which I usually sleep, shining with rays and splendours greater than those of the Sun. Mother Mary at the beginning of the night, at about two o'clock, when I woke up and was in bed, I saw the poor black house in which I usually sleep shining with rays and splendours greater than those of the sun, indeed it seemed that the whole house was made of the finest gold, and I felt such pleasure in my soul It seemed as if I were in Paradise and among so many delights and splendours I heard a voice, and it seemed to me to be the Virgin Mary, if I saw her well, who said to me, go, announce to the Provost and to the people of Bianzone that in my honour they should have an altar raised and my temple situated here on this plain reduced to a more honourable state, Tell them that if they do so, I promise them my blessing and protection, otherwise they will beware of the chastisements that you are enduring and at that time, since I was infirm with a ruptured intestine, I felt healed as I am now healthy and I truly believe that it was the Blessed Virgin although I did not discern her among so many splendours, and I said they would not believe me, and I was warned that I should begin to lead stones and rocks and contribute something of my poverty, so I promised to give her two spoonfuls of wine, and at once I led a few cartloads of stones, and so at that moment that great splendour departed: I delayed till now because I did not dare to say it, since I am an abject person, poor and a great sinner, but finding no rest I was forced to say it, and I offer to endure any torment to confirm this truth. I then told him that he should seek out the Bianzone officials, and he replied that I wanted to tell them on his behalf and that he offered to appear and affirm the whole thing; I then went to celebrate Holy Mass and afterwards I spoke about it with my Lord Canons, that is to say the R Sig. Sig.P. Antonio Zanina, with Sig. P. Carlo Adda and with R. Sig. P. Giov. Nodari, who with other people went separately to meet the Baptist to inform him of the truth and to all replied the same, and after a few days I requested that the Council of this Mag.After a few days I requested that the Council of this Magistrate's College be assembled, since I wanted to speak to him about this success, and in the said Council, having explained everything as above, I told him that I could not canonically approve such an apparition, because this is to be done by the Lord Superiors, but in any case, since it is a pious and holy thing to restore the Church to a more honourable state, it would be good not to be against it, and that in doing this to the honour of the Virgin Mary, they could only expect great good.
So that Magical Council determined the adherir to these aids as follows...”.”

After the Apparition took place in the humble, blackened house of Battista De Flagelli, located close to Piazza Vanoni, a grandiose project to enlarge the Piano church was initiated, which also led to the construction of the present monumental façade that stands out from the view of those arriving from Sondrio.

The event is recounted in the following volumes:

• ‘From One Hail Mary to the Other’ by Vanda Cerveri
• Bianzone - The sanctuary of Madonna del Piano by Dante Sosio
• Bianzone caskets of art and culture by Emanuela Cerveri
• Bianzone among vineyards, churches, palaces and ancient quarters by Gianluigi Garbellini

It is also annually reminded on the Mary The Immaculate One 

L'articolo 26 MARZO 1675: LA MADONNA APPARVE A GIAN BATTISTA DE’ FLAGELLI proviene da Ecomuseo Bianzone.