La Transumanza

La Transumanza in San Demetrio ne' Vestini

La Transumanza is the festival through which the Municipality of San Demetrio ne' Vestini, a small town in the province of L'Aquila nestled in the Sirente-Velino Regional Natural Park, pays homage to one of the most defining legacies of Abruzzo: the seasonal migration of flocks along the shepherd trails, a millennial practice inscribed by UNESCO on the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The event was created to rediscover and promote this ancient bond between the Apennine communities and the grassy paths that for centuries connected the mountains to the plains.

A journey through history, music, and tradition

The event spans two days and transforms the most beautiful spots in the village into stages. The heart of the activities is Lake Sinizzo, a karst lake famous throughout the region, complemented by the Sala Aurora, Piazza Garibaldi, and the Regio Tratturo Vestino, the ancient transhumance route that crosses the municipal territory.

• Ethnographic conferences with scholars of the pastoral world and trans-Apennine cultural connections;
• Bagpipe music with the Italian Massed Pipe Band, accompanying the highlights of the festival;
• Show cooking and tastings of typical local products, such as the characteristic "cacetto e pepetto";
• In-depth sessions on the Presentosa, the jewel that symbolizes the Abruzzese goldsmith tradition, historically linked to the culture of transhumance;
• Night walks along the Regio Tratturo Vestino and experiential wool workshops.

Intangible culture and community

Through meetings, storytelling, documentary screenings, and participatory paths, La Transumanza involves citizens, families, associations, and visitors in a shared reflection on the identity of the territory. The event, promoted by the Municipality with the support of the Abruzzo Region, is part of the broader movement to promote pastoral civilization that spans the entire region, from sheep-farming fairs to walks along the shepherd trails.

An event in the heart of the Sirente-Velino

Set in one of the most evocative villages in the L'Aquila area, just a few kilometers from the provincial capital, La Transumanza is also an opportunity to discover the landscape of Lake Sinizzo and the trails of the Sirente-Velino Park. Admission to all activities is free, in keeping with the spirit of sharing that drives the festival.