Patronal Feast of Saint Nicholas — Sfilata delle Some and Lancio dei Taralli

The Patronal Feast of Saint Nicholas in Pollutri

In the heart of the Vastese area, in the province of Chieti, the town of Pollutri celebrates its patron saint, Saint Nicholas of Bari, every spring with a series of festivities that weave together faith, rural traditions, and collective memory. It is an event that has defined the village's identity for over four centuries: devotion to the Saint dates back to the 17th century, and in 2025, the village celebrated the fourth centenary of the patronage (1625-2025).

The Sfilata delle Some

The festivities open with the evocative Sfilata delle Some (Procession of the Burdens). Once, donkeys transported sacks of flour from the mill to the village; today, tractors parade laden with flour, traveling from the "Paolo Pepe" Multifunctional Center to the House of Saint Nicholas — the ancient seat of the Charity Congregation, now home to the local Pro Loco. The flour is used to knead the Saint's famous taralli. The parade is followed by the Tavolata delle Some, a community lunch that renews the spirit of sharing characteristic of the ancient guilds.

The Lancio dei Taralli

The most anticipated moment is the Lancio dei Taralli (Tossing of the Taralli) on May 1st. From the balcony of Palazzo del Re, on Corso Papa Giovanni Paolo II, thousands of blessed bread rings are thrown to the crowd: between three and four thousand are tossed publicly, while many others — up to over thirteen thousand pieces prepared by committee volunteers during the novena — are later delivered door-to-door throughout the historic center. The taralli, handmade by the local women and blessed by the parish priest, are symbols of charity and Pollutri's devotion.

A Secular Miracle

The tradition evokes a miracle attributed to Saint Nicholas: during a 17th-century famine, the Saint is said to have multiplied legumes to feed the population. This gave rise to the ritual of the fave di San Nicola (Saint Nicholas' fava beans), the highlight of the winter festivities on December 6th. Pollutri celebrates its patron twice a year: in May, for the translation of the relics to Bari, and in December.

An Iconic Abruzzo Event

The Patronal Feast of Saint Nicholas represents one of the most authentic expressions of Abruzzo folk culture. Rituals like the Sfilata delle Some and the Lancio dei Taralli preserve an intangible heritage that bridges generations and attracts visitors from beyond the region. It is an opportunity to discover Pollutri, its historic center, and the hospitality of a community that proudly keeps alive a tradition rooted in the centuries.