Corsa degli Zingari

The Corsa degli Zingari, the soul of Pacentro

The Corsa degli Zingari is one of the most iconic traditional events in all of Abruzzo. It takes place every year on the first Sunday of September in the town of Pacentro, a stunning medieval village perched at the foot of the Maiella massif in the province of L'Aquila. Linked to the cult of the Madonna di Loreto, the race combines popular faith, physical courage, and a deep sense of community belonging.

A barefoot descent through the paths of the Maiella

The heart of the event is a race that is as evocative as it is grueling. The competitors, strictly barefoot, launch themselves from the Pietra Spaccata site at the top of Colle Ardinghi and face a steep descent along untracked paths, through woods, rocky terrain, brambles, and across the Vella stream, before climbing back up the narrow streets of the village to the altar of the Church of the Madonna di Loreto. The first to cross the finish line receives the Palio, a length of wool fabric once used to make a fine suit, now a symbol of honor: the winner is carried in triumph on shoulders through the town streets.

A centuries-old tradition

The origins of the race are lost in time. According to tradition, the trial has roots in the Middle Ages, when it was supposedly used by the noble Caldora family as a means of selecting and recruiting the strongest young men for their militias; other sources place the establishment of the race as a religious vow in the 18th century. The dialect term zingaro, in Pacentro, indicated those who walked barefoot, and thus the poorest in the community.

The Corsa degli Zingarelli and the festivities

In the afternoon, a few hours before the main race, the Corsa degli Zingarelli is held, reserved for children who also run barefoot, to pass on the memory and culture of the village to the new generations. A true village festival develops around the race, with free concerts, DJ sets, street food, craft markets, and side events that animate Pacentro for the entire weekend.

An event looking to the future

In recent years, the event has experienced a strong revival, attracting tens of thousands of spectators and growing media and tourist interest. The 2026 edition introduces significant new features, including the debut of the Trail degli Zingari, a competitive running race on the trails of the Morrone and Maiella mountains, and the cultural project Running through History, dedicated to exploring the historical and anthropological value of this unique Abruzzese tradition.