Cerratina Patronal Feast (Saint Nicholas and Saint Vincent)

The Cerratina Patronal Feast

At the start of September, the hamlet of Cerratina, in the municipality of Pianella (Pescara province), celebrates its patron saints, Saint Nicholas the Bishop and Saint Vincent Ferrer. The small hillside village, nestled on a rounded ridge overlooking the Pescara Valley—named after the turkey oak woods that once covered its slopes—comes together to honor its most cherished traditions during two days of faith, music, and conviviality. The event is organized by the Cerratina in Festa Ovunque APS association under the patronage of the Municipality of Pianella.

The Church of Saint Nicholas and devotion to the patrons

The heart of the festival is the Church of Saint Nicholas the Bishop, built in 1730 in a Baroque style by the Franciscans over an older sacred site, documented as early as 1055 when it was donated to the Abbey of Montecassino by Count Trasmondo of Penne. Over time, the dedication to Saint Nicholas was joined by that of Saint Vincent Ferrer, the Spanish Dominican preacher who lived between the 14th and 15th centuries and is venerated throughout Europe. Long dependent on the Madonna Lauretana of Castellana, Cerratina only became an autonomous parish in 1750. The church houses exquisite stuccowork and paintings, some recently restored, serving as a testament to the community's centuries-old devotion.

Between the sacred and the secular: two days of celebration

The program alternates between liturgical moments—the solemn Holy Mass and the procession of the patron saints' statues through the village streets—and the civil festivities, which transform Piazza del Sole and the main streets into a lively meeting place. Highlights include concerts, such as the traditional performance by the Premiata Banda di Cerratina, musical shows, stalls serving typical Abruzzo products, and evening celebrations that draw back many former residents and visitors from neighboring towns.

A village in the Pescara hinterland to discover

Visiting Cerratina during the patronal feast is the perfect opportunity to discover one of the most authentic corners of the Pescara hills: elegant 19th-century terracotta brick houses, the 18th-century Palazzo Sabucchi with its wrought-iron balconies, and stunning views over the Pescara Valley, all just a few kilometers from the town of Pianella and the Adriatic coast. The Cerratina festival is part of the rich summer calendar of the Municipality of Pianella, which enlivens its hamlets between July and September with food festivals, concerts, and popular events.

Information on the 2026 edition

The Cerratina Patronal Feast in honor of Saint Nicholas and Saint Vincent is included in the official Summer 2026 calendar of the Municipality of Pianella, scheduled for September 5th and 6th, 2026. The detailed program of religious and civil celebrations will be announced by the organizers in the weeks leading up to the event.