Ferragosto in Brenzone - Saint Roch

The days between mid-August are special in Brenzone, in addition of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the little hamlet of Marniga is celebrated one of the religious icon of the town, San Rocco.

The tradition of this festival is very old and the inhabitants are proud to be the passage of the baton in the Christian community life. A statue of the Saint, from the church of San Giovanni Battista, is carried in procession while rose petals are scattered.
In addition to this rite, usually follow three days of feast with dance, music and folklore, especially for children with a day full of games dedicated. The house specialty is the fantastic “risotto” accompanied by a sprinkling of parmesan cheese.

Is such a good thing the respect of the traditions (although some, which we discuss in the next post, have been changed) and is a pleasure to remember the icon of Saint Roch. The story tell that a Breton dog, named Reste, began to steal from the table of his master Gottardo Pallastrelli, a piece of bread every night. The master intrigued, following the animal, discovered that the noble gesture was made for the ill and suffering Rocco. Gottardo was converted in provide assistance to the needy and sick of the plague, became the first Saint Roch’s follower. From that day San Rocco is pictured next to a dog.

Rocco was treated by human "like a dog", and it is a dog that redeems the category treating Rocco "as a human". By us, in Hotel Brenzone, this sentence has a special meaning, convinced that in every dog we can find what in human is nowadays difficult to find, loyalty, vigilance, strength and virtue.