Madonna della Strada Festival

A Ferragosto festival in the heart of the Vasto area

The Madonna della Strada Festival is one of the most anticipated events of the summer in Scerni, a municipality in the Vasto hinterland in the province of Chieti, Abruzzo. It is celebrated every year on August 15th, the day of Ferragosto, and combines religious observance with the popular festivities that bring the village's streets and squares to life. The event is part of the Estate Scernese program, the summer calendar promoted by the municipal administration that accompanies the town from June until the end of August with music, traditions, local flavors, and slow tourism.

The Sanctuary of the Madonna della Strada

The devotional heart of the festival is the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Strada, located along Viale Dante Alighieri at the entrance to the town. The current building, dating from the 20th century, stands on the remains of a small 15th-century church erected by transhumant shepherds who traveled through these lands and entrusted their protection to the Virgin during their long journeys along the sheep tracks. Precious evidence of the ancient chapel remains, including a statue of the Virgin attributed to the tradition of Silvestro dell'Aquila and small statues that recount the local popular devotion.

Between the sacred and the popular

The day of August 15th opens with religious services at the Sanctuary, a moment of reflection and strong community participation. As evening falls, Ferragosto transforms into a town square festival: live music, comedy shows, and entertainment attract both locals and visitors from neighboring towns. The celebration does not end in a single evening, but continues on August 16th with events at Piazza De Riseis, in the town center.

A village to discover

Scerni is a small town in the Middle and Upper Vasto area, far from the crowded routes of the Adriatic coast, which showcases its authentic identity in the summer. The Madonna della Strada Festival is part of a calendar full of events, from food and wine walks through the alleys of the historic center to patronal feasts, offering visitors the opportunity to learn about the traditions and hospitality of this corner of Abruzzo. At the end of August, the devotion is renewed with the procession that brings together the town's patron saints: Saint Panfilo, the Madonna della Strada, and Saint James.

• Where: Sanctuary of the Madonna della Strada and the historic center of Scerni (CH)
• When: August 15th (Ferragosto), with events continuing on August 16th
• Admission: free