Palio delle Pupe

The Palio delle Pupe in Cappelle sul Tavo

Every year, in the heart of the Abruzzo summer, the small town of Cappelle sul Tavo, in the province of Pescara, celebrates its most iconic event: the Palio delle Pupe. Considered the longest-running popular festival in the Pescara province, this Ferragosto celebration transforms the village into an open-air theater where local districts compete with papier-mâché and gunpowder.

What are the "pupe"?

The pupa is an ancient character of Abruzzo folklore: a massive puppet with opulent feminine forms, mounted on a reed frame and filled with fireworks. The puppet is hollow inside, allowing a person to 'wear' it, make it dance, and ignite the pyrotechnic displays. In peasant tradition, every village festival concluded with the burning of the pupa; in Cappelle sul Tavo, this ritual has evolved into a true competition between the districts.

Origins in 1976

The Palio was established in 1976 at the initiative of the historic mayor Luigi Di Marzio, originally linked to the 'migrant's festival'. In the first edition, the puppets were more of an exhibition than an official competition, with only three districts participating. Over the years, the event has grown to involve all the town's districts, which vie for the title of the most beautiful and spectacular puppet.

The competition and parade

The highlight is the evening of August 15th: the puppets arrive in a procession at the arena and begin to dance before a jury, amidst exploding fireworks. The jury awards the winning puppet, usually the most impressive one with the most evocative pyrotechnic show. In the afternoon, the allegorical parade of the districts takes place, featuring floats and costumes inspired by ancient traditions, evaluated by a dedicated ranking.

A town-wide event

The Palio is not just the main evening: in the days leading up to it, the village hosts musical evenings, folk shows, and food stalls serving typical Abruzzo dishes. Since 2019, the pyrotechnic competition has been held in the Palio Arena on Via Fiume Tavo, a large space that replaced the sports field used for over thirty years. On Ferragosto, a free shuttle service connects the municipal area to reach the arena safely.

Experiencing the Palio delle Pupe means immersing yourself in one of the most authentic traditions of Abruzzo, where district pride, craftsmanship, and the magic of fireworks blend into a night of collective celebration.