Lu Sand'Andonie

A centuries-old tradition in the Vestina heartland

Lu Sand'Andonie is one of the most iconic folk traditions of Civitella Casanova, a small town in the province of Pescara set among the rolling Vestina hills of Abruzzo, right at the gates of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park. The festival is celebrated in January, close to the 17th, the day the calendar dedicates to Saint Anthony Abbot, the patron of the countryside, farmers, and livestock. It is an event that bridges the sacred and the profane, deeply rooted in the Abruzzese peasant culture where folk customs still hold great significance.

The sandandonieri and the struggle between good and evil

The heart of the celebration lies in the performances of the sandandonieri: folk singers who, accompanied by angels, devils, and the long-bearded hermit saint, reenact the pivotal moments of the Saint's life. It is a sung narrative of the eternal battle between good and evil, between the hermit's faith and the devil's temptations, passed down through generations via traditional oral verses and melodies.

The allegorical parade and the blessing of the animals

In the afternoon, the historic center comes alive with an allegorical parade themed "Lu Sand, lu cuntadin e l'animal" (The Saint, the Farmer, and the Animal): ancient, decorated carts pulled by oxen wind through the village streets amidst songs, music, and a procession of animals. The blessing of the animals is a central moment of the Saint Anthony Abbot cult, drawing farmers and families with their pets to participate.

The "cieje", the votive pastries

A must-see is the exhibition of local pastries, the famous "cieje di Sand'Andonie", traditional sweets that the local devotion of Civitella has dedicated to the Saint. The day is filled with community rituals and ancient flavors, concluding in the evening with the traditional lottery draw.

An identity-defining event for Civitella Casanova

Organized by the Pro Loco of Civitella Casanova, the event is a powerful expression of identity for the community and the entire Vestina area. Visitors exploring inland Abruzzo in January will find in "Lu Sand'Andonie" an authentic opportunity to discover a living intangible heritage, rich in songs, agricultural rites, artisanal baking, and local hospitality.