Patron Saint Festival of San Felice Martire and San Vincenzo Ferrer

The patronal feast of Poggio Picenze

In the heart of the Abruzzo hinterland, just a few kilometers from L'Aquila, the village of Poggio Picenze hosts its most cherished event every year at the end of June: the Patron Saint Festival of San Felice Martire and San Vincenzo Ferrer. It is a two-day celebration where the entire community comes together to honor its heavenly protectors, in a blend of sacred rites and festive moments passed down through generations. The festival is organized by the Municipality of Poggio Picenze in collaboration with the local Pro Loco and residents, with the involvement of the local parish.

Two saints, two days

The uniqueness of this festival lies in the devotion to two distinct patrons, celebrated on consecutive days. The first day is dedicated to San Felice Martire, who is also the titular saint of the village parish church; the second to San Vincenzo Ferrer, a famous Dominican preacher highly venerated in Abruzzo. Both days begin at dawn with traditional daytime fireworks and a brass band parade through the village streets—a festive wake-up call announcing the start of the celebrations.

Faith and popular tradition

The religious program marks the central hours of both days: solemn masses in honor of the patrons are followed by evocative processions through the village streets, accompanied by traditional firecrackers that, according to a deep-rooted custom, salute the passage of the sacred statues. The first day also includes the laying of a wreath at the war memorial, a moment of civil reflection that complements the religious celebrations.

Music, markets, and shows

Once the devotional part concludes, Piazza Salvatore Massonio transforms into the stage for the secular festivities. The afternoon is dedicated to the little ones, with a children's flea market and traditional games for families, while the evenings feature concerts, dance orchestras, and DJ sets that keep the village lively until late at night. To close the festivities, the unmissable pyrotechnic show illuminates the sky over Poggio Picenze, a grand finale awaited by the entire community.

A village in the L'Aquila area to discover

Located along the state road 17, about twelve kilometers from L'Aquila in the province of L'Aquila, Poggio Picenze owes its name to the ancient castle built on the mountain slopes and the Piceni populations who once inhabited the area. The patronal festival is the ideal opportunity to visit this Abruzzese village, discover its stone architecture, its churches, and the warmth of its inhabitants in an atmosphere of authentic local hospitality.