Patronal Feast of Saints Cosmas and Damian

The Patronal Feast of Roccascalegna

The Patronal Feast of Saints Cosmas and Damian is the most heartfelt religious and civic event in Roccascalegna, a small town in the province of Chieti, Abruzzo, famous throughout the region for its medieval castle perched on a rocky spur overlooking the Rio Secco valley. Every year, towards the end of September, the village pays homage to its patron saints, the physician saints Cosmas and Damian, venerated since ancient times as healers and miracle workers.

The physician saints and local devotion

According to tradition, Cosmas and Damian were two physician brothers who treated the sick for free, and they remain central figures in Abruzzese popular devotion. In Roccascalegna, their cult has been documented for centuries: in the 16th century, residents living outside the village walls pooled their resources to build a church dedicated to them, a testament to a deep-rooted devotion that still inspires the community today. September 27th, the liturgical feast day of the two saints, remains the heart of the celebrations.

The parade of the conche

The most iconic and defining moment of the festival is the parade of the conche (or the procession of the 'conocchie'): local women, dressed in traditional Abruzzese costumes, parade while balancing copper conche filled with grain on their heads—votive offerings donated in honor of the physician saints. This gesture, rooted in the peasant world of the past when these vessels were used to carry water, transforms the streets of the historic center into a living tableau of tradition and color.

Program and atmosphere

• Religious celebrations and procession with the statue of the patron saints through the village streets
• Parade of the conche (copper vessels) and traditional Abruzzese costumes
• Marching band accompaniment
• Market stalls and food stands featuring local products
• Moments of entertainment and conviviality in the town squares

A village to discover

The festival is also the perfect opportunity to visit Roccascalegna and its castle, one of the most photographed in Abruzzo, during a time when the mild climate and autumn colors make the climb to the fortress even more evocative. The event attracts residents, visitors, and many emigrants who return to their hometown to reconnect with their roots and their devotion to the physician saints.