Ferragosto in Valle Piola

Ferragosto in the village that awakens once a year

There is only one moment in the year when the silence of Valle Piola is filled with voices, the aroma of cooking, and footsteps: it is Ferragosto, when the Pro Loco of Torricella Sicura brings life back to this ghost village in the Monti della Laga, in the province of Teramo. Abandoned since 1977, when the last family left its nine stone houses, Valle Piola sits at approximately 1,017 meters above sea level on the northeastern slopes of Monte della Farina, within the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park. For two days in mid-August, the medieval village and its church of San Nicola become the stage for a genuine local festival, blending gastronomy, nature, and conviviality.

Mountain cuisine and food stalls

The heart of the event lies in the food stalls that the Pro Loco opens starting at 7:00 PM on August 14th. Here, you can savor the authentic flavors of the Teramo hinterland and traditional dishes from the Monti della Laga, prepared by the association's volunteers. The culinary experience is tied to the Rifugio del Pastore, a facility restored by the Pro Loco in an ancient municipal farmhouse, which offers hospitality and local cuisine within the village.

Hiking, nature, and camping under the stars

Ferragosto in Valle Piola is not just about food: the village's location, accessible via the SP 51 provincial road, makes it an ideal starting point for hikes. From here, a loop trail leads up to Monte della Farina (1,572 m), a natural viewpoint overlooking the Vezzola river valley and the nearby Montagna di Campli, nestled in the woods of the National Park. Many visitors choose to fully experience the festival by camping in tents in the area surrounding the village, waking up at dawn among the Laga mountains.

A village to save, a festival to remember

The event also holds symbolic value: keeping a place alive that was at risk of being forgotten. Valle Piola, with its Lombard-era architecture and records dating back to 1059, has become a small national phenomenon over the years, attracting curious visitors, hikers, and photographers. The Ferragosto organized by the Pro Loco of Torricella Sicura is the moment when the community reclaims its roots and shares them with outsiders, both in the municipality of Torricella Sicura and throughout the Teramo province.