Living Crib of Rivisondoli (Aq) with hundreds of figurants in a wonderful environment context

The “Farchie” of Fara Filiorum Petri (Ch): in memory of Saint Anthony who allowed to chase the French out, they set fire to the “farchie” (very high reeds pyres)

The “Panicelle” and Saint Blaise's Day in Taranta Peligna (Ch)

On the same day takes place a similar ritual in Bussi sul Tirino (Pe)

Fire of the “fantoccio” in several towns

There are many representations of the Holy Week rites in Abruzzo:

Gessopalena (Ch) Wednesday and Friday: processions with living scenes in the evocative scenery of the old town

Vasto (Ch), Maundy Thursday: procession of the “Holy Thorn”

Lanciano (Ch), L'Aquila, Sulmona (Aq), Teramo: spectacular and evocative processions of the Good Friday;

Chieti, Good Friday: the Italy's most ancient Way of the Cross with the Miserere sung only by men and accompanied by one hundred violins

Sulmona (Aq), Easter Sunday: procession of the Madonna rushing towards resurrected Jesus.

Pretoro (Ch): the miracle of Saint Dominic relives in the town that has lived for centuries with the atavic fear of the wolf.

Rapino (Ch): The “Verginelle”, procession of 6-10 years old girls dressed in white in honour of the Madonna.

Cocullo (Aq): procession of the snake-charmers of Saint Dominic, one of the most famous festivals in Italy, full of a strong symbolical meaning.

Bucchianico: The “Banderesi”, with the cheerful and gaily-coloured representation of the stratagem of the mockery inflicted to the enemies from Chieti in the XIII cent.

Pilgrimage to the Madonna dei Miracoli in Casalbordino (Ch)

Rites in honour of Saint John

In Bisegna (Aq), where is a source of water considered miraculous: pilgrims and believers of Bisegna carry in procession the statue of Saint John and meet at the source the pilgrims coming from Trasacco who carry the statue of Saint Anthony; San Giovanni in Venere in Fossacesia (Ch); in Civitella Rovereto (Aq); in Canistro and Balsorano (Aq).

Villamagna(Ch)The Saracens: recalling of the attempt at siege of the Saracens and the prodigious intervention of Saint Margaret

Saint Andrew's Day in Pescara: procession on the sea

Tollo(Ch)Our Lady of the Rosary's Day. Water-melons peels and macaroni against the Turkish invaders

night performance of the biblical scenes on allegorical carts, called “Talami”

Villalago(Aq)pilgrimage in honour of Saint Dominic the Abbot

Lanciano(Ch): Fair of the Toy in honour of Saint Giles

“ Lanciano September” in Lanciano with the “Gift” to Our Lady of the Bridge

Il Mastrogiurato a Lanciano: historical celebration in ancient costumes

Rosello(Ch)procession of our Lady of the Graces brought in each house of the town

Castiglione Messer Marino (Ch): in the heart of the Lupara wood pilgrimage and procession of Our Lady of the Mountain

Pacentro(Aq)Gipsies' race to celebrate Our Lady of Loreto with a lively bare-footed contest that ends in the church

Forcella (Te): ritual folk-dance “dell'insegna” in honour of Our Lady of the Mercy

Roccascalegna, Altino, Lentella (Ch): processions of the “conocchie”, gifts of wheat vessels in honour of the physicians Saints Cosma and Damian.

Assembly of the Sangro Cooks in Villa Santa Maria (Ch)

Saint Martin's Day takes place in many towns with comical processions and new wine-tasting like in S.Valentino (Pe)

Saint Nicholas' Day in several Abruzzo towns with breads and ritual “taralli”.

In Pollutri (Ch), in the evening of the eve, cooking the broad beans in the square recalling the Saint's miracle

Atri (Te): fire of the “faugni”

In Archi (Ch) tradition of the “night greeting to the Conception”