Feast of Saint Dominic the Abbot

A patronal feast in the heart of the Abruzzo mountains

The Feast of Saint Dominic the Abbot is the main summer patronal festival in Villalago, a village nestled between the lakes of the Sagittario Valley, in the Province of L'Aquila and the heart of the Abruzzo, Lazio, and Molise National Park. Villalago honors its patron saint with three celebrations throughout the year: January 22nd, commemorating the saint's death in 1031; Easter Monday, with the procession of relics to the monastic complex; and finally, the grand summer feast on August 22nd, the most popular event, linked to the anniversary of Saint Dominic's canonization in Sora on August 22, 1104.

The pilgrimage from Fornelli

The most intense and evocative moment of the feast is the arrival of the pilgrims from the Molise community of Fornelli (IS). Having set off on foot at night, they cover approximately 80 kilometers through the mountains, passing through Monte Pizzone, the mountain of Saint Francis, the Montagna Spaccata dam, Villetta Barrea, the Passo Godi of Scanno, and the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Lago, until they reach the Hermitage of Saint Dominic near Villalago. The pilgrims, wearing the saint's scapular and carrying walking sticks, enter the small church on their knees, singing ancient devotional folk songs accompanied by an accordion, in a deeply moving moment shared by both communities.

Procession, fair, and music

The day of August 22nd is marked by liturgical celebrations and the solemn procession with the statue of the saint through the streets of the village. The religious rites are accompanied by brass band concerts, the traditional fair, musical performances, and fireworks that conclude the festivities. It is an event that weaves together faith, tradition, and conviviality, drawing many emigrants back to Villalago to celebrate in their hometown.

Saint Dominic and the snake cult

Saint Dominic the Abbot (951–1031), a Benedictine monk, is venerated in Abruzzo as a protector against snake bites and rabid dogs, as well as storms and diseases. The Hermitage of Saint Dominic, built around the year 1000 on a small island in the lake of the same name, houses the cave with the so-called "bed of the saint." The connection to snakes links Villalago to nearby Cocullo, world-famous for its snake-handlers' procession: in the 19th century, the statue of the saint in Villalago was also carried in procession covered in snakes.

The village and its territory

Set between the lakes of San Domenico and Scanno, Villalago is one of the most fascinating destinations in the Sagittario Valley, amidst gorges, forests, and turquoise waters. Visiting the village during the feast of Saint Dominic means immersing yourself in a living, centuries-old tradition where popular devotion and the natural beauty of the Abruzzo mountains blend into an authentic experience.