Patronal Feast of Saints Leucio, Rocco and Nicola

The patronal feast of Villavallelonga

In the heart of the Vallelonga, one of the highest and most picturesque villages in the Marsica region, the Municipality of Villavallelonga (Province of L'Aquila) celebrates its Patronal Feast every year in early September in honor of its three patron saints: Saint Leucio, Saint Rocco, and Saint Nicola. It is the most anticipated event of the year for the community, a time when the village fills with residents, returning emigrants, and visitors, all united by a deep sense of belonging.

The three saints and the cult of Saint Leucio

Devotion to Saint Leucio, the first bishop of Brindisi and a native of Alexandria, Egypt, has roots going back centuries: it was brought to Villavallelonga by the shepherds of the Vallelonga who, in the early days of the Church, migrated toward Puglia along the transhumance routes, bringing this veneration back to Abruzzo. Saint Rocco is invoked as a healing saint and pilgrim, a protector against epidemics, while Saint Nicola is beloved throughout Abruzzo as a symbol of charity and protection for the vulnerable. The village's bond with Saint Leucio is so strong that the saint is also celebrated on January 11th, with the blessing and distribution of frascareje and sciambella.

Processions, music, and tradition

The highlight is the solemn procession with the saint's statue through the village streets, accompanied by a brass band and followed by the entire population. During the festival days, liturgical celebrations, band concerts, square performances, illuminations, and grand fireworks displays close the festivities. The event, organized by the Committee for the Feast of Saints Leucio, Rocco and Nicola, combines spirituality, folk tradition, and community celebration in an engaging atmosphere.

Mountain flavors

The festival is also an opportunity to rediscover the pastoral cuisine of the Vallelonga. The stars of the table are the frascareje, a rustic pasta made from flour, eggs, and water, whose hardened granules are cooked in large pots with salted water and served with mutton sauce and pecorino cheese. There are also food stalls, tastings of local products, and traditional peasant and pastoral dishes.

Sport and nature: the Marcialonga del Cerbiatto

Coinciding with the festival, the Marcialonga del Cerbiatto is held on September 2nd, a historic local footrace organized in collaboration with the Festival Committee. The name refers to the wildlife of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park, of which Villavallelonga is a part: a territory of ancient beech forests, deer, chamois, and wolves, which provides a natural setting for one of the most authentic festivals in the Abruzzo mountains.