Navelli Chickpea and Saffron Festival and Donkey Palio

2025 Edition

The 47th Navelli Chickpea and Saffron Festival was held on August 23-24, 2025 in Piazza San Pelino, organized by the Pro Loco of Navelli led by Giuseppe Giampietri. The heart of the edition was the 43rd Donkey Palio, held on Sunday, August 24, starting at 6:00 PM from the Map Area on Via Commercio.

Nine districts competed — Ru Spedale, San Puline, Ru Ponte, Spiagge, Via R'Prete, La Piazza, La Torr, Ru Busc, and Contrada Canada — each represented by a pair consisting of a handler and a squire. The afternoon opened with a historical costume pageant featuring flag-waver groups from Castel Madama and the Certame Città di Popoli Terme. The two days offered tastings of Navelli chickpeas and L'Aquila Saffron PDO, arrosticini, and Abruzzo specialties, along with live music and craft markets.