Jacovella, Lady of the Barony

A countess, a village, and a journey into the Middle Ages

There is a moment each summer when the small village of Carapelle Calvisio, in the province of L'Aquila, sheds its modern skin and returns to the 15th century. This is when Jacovella, Lady of the Barony comes to life—a historical re-enactment celebrating Jacovella da Celano, the Countess of Celano and Venafro and Baroness of Carapelle Calvisio, a noblewoman from Abruzzo who lived in the 15th century. The cobblestone streets of the historic center fill with ladies and knights, archers and men-at-arms, while locals and historical groups don period costumes to immerse visitors in the atmosphere of the medieval Barony.

Who was Jacovella da Celano?

The figure at the heart of the festival is no fictional character: Jacovella da Celano (1418 – before 1471) was one of the most well-known and unfortunate noblewomen of 15th-century Abruzzo. Countess of Celano and Venafro and Lady of the Barony of Carapelle, she married three times; her last husband was Count Lionello Accrocciamuro (often remembered as Leonello Accrozzamura), with whom she is also remembered for her contributions to local churches and castles. Her life, marked by power, political marriages, sieges, and imprisonment, has become the narrative thread of the re-enactment, which features her as the protagonist of the historical pageant, accompanied by her retinue.

The village transforms

For one day, the historic center of Carapelle Calvisio becomes an open-air stage: medieval stalls and displays line the streets, alongside taverns, artisans, and the sound of drums and clarions. Typical highlights of the event include guided tours of the village, the historical pageant featuring the entry of the countess and her retinue, cannon salutes from the men-at-arms, performances by flag-wavers, dances, falconry, fire shows, and stilt walkers. Past editions have featured historical groups from the L'Aquila area, such as the Bandierai dei Quattro Quarti of L'Aquila and the Compagnia Rosso d'Aquila, alongside early music and dance ensembles.

The medieval banquet in the square

The most anticipated moment is in the evening, when the village square transforms into a grand medieval banquet: traditional dishes, music, and dance provide the backdrop for an outdoor dinner set among the ancient stones of the Barony. It is the convivial heart of the festival, drawing hundreds of people every year, including locals, curious visitors, and history enthusiasts from neighboring towns and across Abruzzo.

An event of the Barony of Carapelle

The re-enactment, established in 2022, is organized by the Pro Loco of Carapelle Calvisio in collaboration with the Municipality. It is part of the village's summer calendar, which features a mix of concerts, book presentations, conferences, and other historical events. It is a cultural project aimed at enhancing the historical identity of the Barony of Carapelle, one of the hidden treasures of the L'Aquila mountains at the foot of the Gran Sasso.