Patronal Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel with Torchlight Procession on Mount Bilanciere

A patronal feast in the heart of the Monti della Laga

Every summer, the small municipality of Cortino, in the province of Teramo, celebrates its patron saint, Saint Michael the Archangel, with a festival that weaves together religious devotion, pastoral tradition, and village conviviality. Located at an altitude of over one thousand meters in the heart of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park, Cortino is the highest municipality in the Teramo province, uniting nineteen hamlets scattered across an unspoiled territory rich in water, forests, and high-altitude pastures.

The torchlight procession on Mount Bilanciere

The most iconic moment of the festival is the night-time torchlight procession on Mount Bilanciere, a river of light winding up the mountain slopes after dark. This walk, which is both a spiritual and hiking experience, is dedicated to the memory of the transhumance and the shepherds who for centuries traversed these paths with their flocks, shaping the landscape and culture of the Monti della Laga. The torchlight procession is often accompanied by an eco-march that highlights ancient trails and the park's woodlands, including the famous Abetina di Cortino, one of the few spontaneous white fir forests in the central Apennines.

Music, gastronomy, and community

During the festival days, the village comes alive with live music, food stalls, and moments of sharing that draw in residents, returning emigrants, and tourists. The local cuisine showcases the products of the Abruzzo mountains: pecora alla callara (stewed mutton) cooked in a large cauldron, porcini mushrooms, chestnuts, and alpine cheeses—flavors that tell the story of the area's pastoral vocation. The event, with free admission, is organized by the association A.P.S. La musica nel cuore and is open to all citizens and visitors.

Cortino and the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga Park

Attending the festival is also an opportunity to discover an authentic corner of inland Abruzzo: the springs of the Tordino river, the double-drop Cantagalli waterfall, the Sanctuary of the Madonna dei Monti della Laga in Padula, and the stone villages that dot the municipality. The Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel thus represents much more than a religious recurrence: it is a collective ritual that keeps the memory of the transhumance alive and strengthens the bond between the community of Cortino and its mountains.