Ju Catenacce

Ju Catenacce, the ancient wedding of Scanno

Ju Catenacce is a re-enactment of the ancient wedding procession that brings the historic center of Scanno, in the province of L'Aquila, to life every August 14th in the heart of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park. The name, in the local Scanno dialect, refers to the image of a "catenaccio" (padlock): when viewed from above, the long line of couples moving in order through the narrow streets forms the shape of a closed chain.

A faithful re-enactment

The performance carefully reproduces the traditional wedding ritual of the village. The bride and groom lead the procession, followed by relatives and friends strictly in pairs, man and woman, according to the order dictated by kinship and friendship. During the event, only one couple is actually getting married, while the other participants accompany the scene. The procession winds through the characteristic stone alleys until it reaches Piazza della Madonna della Valle, where an ancient wedding dance, similar to a quadrille, is performed and traditional Scanno pastries are offered to the spectators.

The Scanno costume

The visual heart of the festival is the traditional Scanno costume, one of the most famous and precious in Italy. The women's attire includes a wide dark wool skirt, a velvet bodice, an embroidered apron, and the characteristic headpiece wrapped around the braids, enriched by gold jewelry such as the presentosa and the sciacquajje. In the 20th century, this costume attracted world-renowned photographers like Mario Giacomelli and Henri Cartier-Bresson, and inspired the painter Francesco Paolo Michetti.

History and origins

The oldest written record of this ritual dates back to 1765, when the Scanno writer Romualdo Parente composed a poem in dialect, Zu matremuónie a z'euse ("The wedding according to custom"), which describes the engagement, serenades, and ceremonial songs. Since then, the tradition has been passed down from generation to generation, becoming the most anticipated summer event in Scanno and a symbol of the cultural identity of the entire Sagittario Valley.

A heritage to protect

Due to the ethnographic value of the ritual and the costume, the Scanno community continues to promote and protect this intangible heritage. Ju Catenacce is not just a show for visitors, but a deeply felt moment for the inhabitants of the Municipality of Scanno, who renew their bond with their roots every Ferragosto. The dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been officially announced; the event traditionally takes place on August 14th.