Festival of the Madonna del Sambuco and Saint Vincent

A festival born from an apparition

The Festival of the Madonna del Sambuco and Saint Vincent takes place in Sambuceto, a small village in the municipality of Bomba, in the province of Chieti, nestled in the heart of inland Abruzzo overlooking Lake Bomba. The tradition traces its roots back to a 1649 legend: according to local lore, some faithful witnessed the Madonna appearing on an elder tree. This miraculous event led to the construction of a chapel, later evolving into the Church of Santa Maria del Sambuco, and the entire area, Sambuceto, took its name from that very tree.

The procession and the adorned statue

The festival falls on Easter Monday and Tuesday. The heart of the celebration is the solemn procession of the Madonna's statue, which is specially dressed in precious garments and adorned with votive offerings—necklaces, earrings, and rings gifted over the centuries by the faithful. The statue, usually kept in a niche behind the church's main altar, is carried through the village streets, accompanied by a painting that commemorates the original Marian apparition.

The 'palletta' game at Aia di Sotto

Beyond its religious significance, the festival preserves one of Abruzzo's most unique traditional games: the palletta, played since time immemorial in the small Aia di Sotto square. The playing field is a small square of ground with nine holes dug at the intersections of its lines: eight on the sides and one larger central hole, known as lu tòmmele (the bushel), about 15 centimeters in diameter. Players place a bet in the central hole and toss an iron ball; those who land it in the center win the pot, while those who land in the side holes recover their stake. It is a game of skill and chance that draws curious onlookers and enthusiasts from Bomba and neighboring towns.

A time for gathering

During these two days, the spirit of hospitality and community is renewed among the residents of Bomba, Sambuceto, and the surrounding villages. The event is free and open to everyone, blending faith, memory, and conviviality to preserve an intangible heritage that defines the identity of this inland Chieti community.