Roccolana Week

The Saint Roch feast in Rocca San Giovanni

The Roccolana Week is the beating heart of summer in Rocca San Giovanni, an elegant medieval village in the province of Chieti, perched above the Costa dei Trabocchi in Abruzzo. From August 12th to 16th, the entire community unites to honor Saint Roch, the patron saint celebrated on August 16th, creating a week of faith, tradition, and popular festivities that draws locals, returning emigrants, and visitors alike.

Tradition and devotion

The bond between the town and its patron saint is rooted in ancient devotion. The Roccolana Week, promoted by the San Rocco Cultural Association, weaves liturgical moments with the most authentic expressions of local folklore: the solemn procession on August 16th, the evocative conche parade—featuring traditional copper vessels carried in procession—and costumes that reflect the farming and maritime identity of this corner of Abruzzo.

Music, shows, and community

Alongside the religious dimension, the week comes alive with concerts, dance evenings, shows, and events for all ages. There is also the classic Saint Roch Lottery, the awards ceremony for the conche, and entertainment evenings that transform the squares of the historic center into a large open-air stage. The Roccolana Week is part of the broader Estate Roccolana program, which brings music, culture, sports, and food and wine events to Rocca San Giovanni throughout July and August.

A village between hills and sea

Experiencing the Roccolana Week means discovering one of Italy's most beautiful villages, with its medieval layout, views of the Adriatic, and proximity to the beaches and trabocchi of the Teatine coast. The patronal feast is the perfect opportunity to combine spirituality, tradition, and the warm hospitality of the Abruzzo people in an atmosphere of authentic popular participation.