Feast of Saint Anthony and Saint Pancras Martyr

The patronal feast of Manoppello Scalo

The Feast of Saint Anthony and Saint Pancras Martyr is the patronal festival of Manoppello Scalo, the district that grew around the railway station in the municipality of Manoppello, in the province of Pescara, in the heart of the Abruzzo hills between the Lavino river valley and the slopes of the Majella. Every year in September, the community gathers around the parish of San Pancrazio Martyr and the central Piazza Zambra to honor their patron saints with three days of religious celebrations and civil festivities.

Faith and popular devotion

The heart of the festival remains deeply religious. The days are marked by Holy Masses, solemn celebrations in honor of Saint Anthony and Saint Pancras Martyr, and the traditional procession that winds through the streets of the district with the statues of the saints, accompanied by a brass band and the participation of the faithful. It is a defining moment for the residents of Manoppello Scalo, who renew an ancient bond with their patron saints year after year.

Music, gastronomy, and festivities in the square

Alongside the spiritual dimension, the festival offers the most convivial side of Abruzzo tradition. Piazza Zambra transforms into a large open-air stage: food stalls offer the flavors of local cuisine, while the evenings are enlivened by live music, shows, and concerts that attract families and visitors from neighboring towns. Past editions have featured performances by popular tribute bands, confirming a program capable of blending tradition with popular entertainment.

A festival in the Manoppello summer calendar

The Feast of Saint Anthony and Saint Pancras is part of the broader summer program Manoppello under the Stars, promoted by the Municipality of Manoppello, which hosts events from June to September across the historic center, the Scalo, and the surrounding hamlets. It should be distinguished from the Volto Santo celebrations, which also take place in the municipality of Manoppello but animate the historic center in May: the September patronal feast is specific to the Scalo community.

Why attend

• Experience an authentic Abruzzo patronal feast, far from the main tourist crowds;
• Witness the procession and celebrations in honor of Saint Anthony and Saint Pancras Martyr;
• Taste local dishes at the food stalls set up in Piazza Zambra;
• Enjoy evenings of live music in the heart of Manoppello Scalo.