Abbazie Summer Festival – San Giovanni ad Insulam Abbey

A festival blending music and heritage in the Valley of the Abbeys

The Abbazie Summer Festival is one of the most fascinating musical events in Abruzzo. Originating as Concerti delle Abbazie and reaching its eleventh edition in 2026, the festival spreads great jazz, world, and international music across the iconic landmarks of the Teramo province: Romanesque abbeys, cloisters, medieval villages, and monastic sites scattered throughout the so-called Valley of the Abbeys. The artistic direction is led by maestro Carlo Michini, while the organization is managed by GAL Terreverdi Teramane.

San Giovanni ad Insulam Abbey

Among the most evocative stops on the entire circuit is the San Giovanni ad Insulam Abbey, located in the territory of the municipality of Isola del Gran Sasso d'Italia, in the province of Teramo. Nestled in a spectacular landscape at the foot of the Gran Sasso massif and just a short distance from the famous Sanctuary of San Gabriele, the abbey offers a setting of rare beauty: the notes of the evening concerts intertwine with ancient stone and mountain silence, creating an experience that unites musical listening, historical heritage, and nature.

An international lineup

Every summer, the Abbazie Summer Festival attracts major protagonists of the international scene to the Teramo province alongside young emerging talents. The overall program features over thirty events distributed across a dozen municipalities in Teramo, with sections dedicated to both jazz and classical music. Some of the most anticipated concerts of the festival take place at the San Giovanni ad Insulam Abbey, in an intimate and cozy atmosphere that enhances both the musicians and the venue hosting them.

More than just concerts

The festival is not limited to performances: the concerts are surrounded by artist meet-and-greets, tastings of local products, guided tours of monuments, and initiatives that showcase inland Abruzzo. It is an ideal opportunity to discover Isola del Gran Sasso and the villages of the Valley of the Abbeys, amidst art, food, wine, and the landscapes of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park.