Madonna degli Angeli Festival

The patronal feast of Cerchiara

The Madonna degli Angeli Festival is the most cherished summer event in Cerchiara, a small hamlet in the municipality of Isola del Gran Sasso d'Italia, in the province of Teramo. Nestled at an altitude of approximately 660 meters in a valley dominated by the massive Gran Sasso mountain, the village has venerated the Madonna degli Angeli for centuries. She is celebrated alongside Saint Valentine, with both feast days observed on August 2nd.

For three days, from July 31st to August 2nd, the village comes alive with celebrations that bridge the spiritual and the popular: the festival is organized by the Pro Loco L'Occhio del Gigante in collaboration with the local parish, involving the entire community in an atmosphere of reflection and joy.

Between devotion and tradition

The religious heart of the festival is the veneration of the Madonna degli Angeli, with liturgical celebrations accompanying the residents throughout the days. The secular side of the event unfolds around this sacred core, with Piazza San Valentino transformed into the main stage for the evening festivities.

Cerchiara has ancient roots: the settlement traces its origins back to the Roman Criscaria, a statio militaris established to control the ancient Via Ceciliana. It preserves medieval remnants such as the ruins of the church of San Valentino, which features 16th-century frescoes. This historical heritage provides the backdrop for a festival that renews the bond between the inhabitants and their land every year.

Music, taste, and community

In past editions, the festival has offered a rich and varied program: card tournaments, children's entertainment, food stalls serving traditional Teramo flavors, karaoke nights, and dance performances by local schools, as well as concerts by bands and notable artists. Over the years, Cerchiara has hosted important names from the Italian music scene, bringing evenings to the square that attract visitors from across the valley.

• Where: Cerchiara, hamlet of Isola del Gran Sasso d'Italia (TE), Abruzzo
• When: From July 31st to August 2nd
• Who: Pro Loco L'Occhio del Gigante and the Parish of Cerchiara
• Setting: Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park

A summer at the foot of the giant

The Madonna degli Angeli Festival is part of a vibrant summer calendar curated by the young members of the Pro Loco, who bring new vitality to the area by rediscovering local traditions. For those visiting inland Abruzzo, it is the ideal opportunity to discover the authenticity of a mountain village and the warm hospitality of its people.