Patronal Feast of Santa Jona in Ovindoli

The Patronal Feast of Santa Jona

The Patronal Feast of Santa Jona is the most anticipated event of the year for this small hamlet in the municipality of Ovindoli, in the province of L'Aquila, in the heart of the Abruzzo Marsica region. Celebrated annually between late August and early September, the festivities pay homage to Saint Eugenia, the village's patron saint, whose name is linked to an ancient spring and medieval documents dating back to the 13th century that mention "the church and the land of Saint Eugenia."

A village between mountains and history

Santa Jona stands at an altitude of approximately 969 meters, at the foot of the Monti della Magnola, within the Sirente-Velino mountain group. The village, which has just over one hundred and fifty inhabitants, preserves precious landmarks: the church of Santa Maria di Collemarciano, rebuilt in 1950, a 13th-century circular medieval tower that once served a defensive purpose, and the remains of an Italic-Roman sanctuary. In 1811, with the abolition of the feudal system, Santa Jona separated from Celano to become part of the municipality of Ovindoli.

Rites, tradition, and community

During the Patronal Feast, the small town on the plateau comes to life: religious celebrations in honor of Saint Eugenia are accompanied by moments of celebration, music, and conviviality that involve both residents and visitors. These are days when the scattered community returns to gather in the village, set against a mountain backdrop that offers summer coolness, hikes toward Pizzo di Ovindoli and Monte Magnola, and genuine Marsican hospitality.

The role of the Pro Loco

The organization is entrusted to the Pro Loco Santa Jona, an association founded at the end of 2011 that keeps the village active throughout the year: in addition to the summer festivities, it manages beloved traditions such as the Living Nativity, now in its many editions, and the Christmas and Epiphany events that highlight the tower and the village streets. The Patronal Feast is part of the summer calendar of the municipality of Ovindoli, in Abruzzo, among the many patronal feasts of the local hamlets.

Why attend

• Experience an authentic patronal feast in a mountain village of Marsica, far from the main tourist flows.
• Discover the medieval tower and the church of Santa Maria di Collemarciano.
• Enjoy the cool climate of the Ovindoli plateau and the landscapes of the Sirente-Velino Regional Park.
• Savor the hospitality and typical products of the Abruzzo tradition.