Traditional Rogation on the Asiago Plateau - 20 May 2023 - 06.00 a.m.

An ancient and heartfelt rite returns to Asiago, that of the Great Rogation.

As per tradition, the "Around the World", as it is called by the Highlanders, will take place on the Saturday before Ascension Sunday, which this year is May 20th.

WHAT IS THE GREAT ROGATION OF ASIAGO?

It is a religious procession that the inhabitants of the area have been repeating for centuries along a path that winds through the parish territory of Asiago through pastures and paths for 33 km. 

The Rogation of Asiago is an event open to all those who want to share it with us. It is good to know, however, that this is not a tourist event or a walk, but a journey of faith and a tradition to which our Plateau is very attached, and in this spirit it should be addressed. 

Originally, the Rogation had a propitiatory function, that is, it was carried out to owe a good harvest. In the 17th century, following an epidemic of plague, this procession turned into a rite of thanksgiving by the population who had escaped the plague. To this day, the Crucifix precedes pilgrims who cannot pass it or turn their backs on it to retrace their steps.

THE ROUTE OF THE GREAT ROGATION

The path to follow is always the same and with the same stages. We leave on foot all together at 6 a.m. in front of the Cathedral of Asiago and proceed in the direction of the Lazzaretto, where we make the first stop for the celebration of the Holy Mass officiated by all the parish priests of the Seven Municipalities. 
At the end of the service, we still entertain ourselves at the Lazzaretto until mid-morning for a first packed snack. It is here that the girls give the characteristic hand-painted hard-boiled eggs to the boys from whom they in turn received the traditional terracotta "cuco" on April 25th, St. Mark's Day and the feast of the Cuchi (traditional colored terracotta "whistles").

From the Lazzaretto we set off again in increasing numbers towards Kaberlaba, then Canove, up to Camporovere, where we arrive at about 1 pm and stop again to rest and for a packed lunch.

Around 2.30 p.m. we resume the journey in even greater numbers. In fact, the number of participants, including many tourists, continues to increase along the way. The songs sung in chorus by the pilgrims accompany their journey along paths that cross meadows yellowed by dandelion flowers, lush forests and landscapes of immeasurable beauty. After a few kilometers you face the most challenging climb, that of Mount Katz, also known as "Bi" for the particular shape of the path that runs along it which recalls precisely this letter of the alphabet.

Descending from Mount "Bi", continue to the Rigoni di Sotto district and from here towards the Gallio wood, where a last stop is made. Here the boys reciprocate the gift of colored eggs received by the girls with wreaths of pine twigs intertwined with flowers collected in the last stretch of the route.

Finally, after 13 hours of walking, accompanied by the festive ringing of the bells, you reach the starting point again, the Cathedral of Asiago, where the Great Rogation closes with a solemn mass. 

The tiredness is great but it is certainly well rewarded by the satisfaction of having lived such an intense and exciting experience.