La Notte nell'Ilex and Mugnaia Festival

A village stepping back seven centuries

Every August, the small town of Elice, with just over 1,600 inhabitants perched on the hills of the Val Fino valley in the province of Pescara, stages one of the most spectacular and beloved historical re-enactments in Abruzzo: La Notte nell'Ilex. For an entire week, the historic center sheds its modernity and transforms into an authentic 14th-century medieval village, with over 400 costumed performers animating the alleys, squares, and taverns.

The re-enactment: minstrels, knights, and the joust

Created in 2003 by Marco Evangelista, president of the cultural association Elicethnos, the event meticulously reconstructs life from a thousand years ago. Minstrels, commoners, ladies, knights, and healers parade through the village streets, accompanied by theatrical performances, sword duels, archery, and ancient medieval games. Highlights include the spectacular horse joust and the evocative Court of the Inquisitions. The attention to detail extends to the table: the taverns cook in accordance with history, without potatoes or tomatoes, ingredients that only reached Europe after 1492.

The Ilex currency and immersive experience

Visitors can fully immerse themselves in the atmosphere: it is possible to rent period costumes and pay for purchases with the Ilex coin, minted specifically for the event and accepted in taverns and markets. An experience that engages both adults and children, earning La Notte nell'Ilex a place in the register of Italian historical re-enactments curated by the Ministry of Culture.

The Mugnaia Festival

The re-enactment intertwines with the Mugnaia Festival, dedicated to the dish that has made Elice famous throughout Abruzzo. Mugnaia is an ancient pasta typical of the Val Fino, prepared with a simple dough of water and flour worked by hand: a hole is created in the center of the dough and pulled until a single, very long strand is formed. Served with meat sauce, it is the queen of the festival tables, accompanied by other traditional Abruzzo peasant dishes.

A late summer appointment in the province of Pescara

Organized by the Elicethnos association in collaboration with the Pro Loco and the Municipality of Elice, the event is traditionally held in the first or second week of August and attracts thousands of visitors from all over Abruzzo and beyond. It is the perfect opportunity to discover an authentic village in the Pescara hinterland, its history, and its flavors.