Saint Anthony Abbot Festival and the Cuttore

A centuries-old tradition in the heart of the Marsica

The Saint Anthony Abbot Festival and the Cuttore is one of the most deeply rooted identity-defining events in inland Abruzzo. It takes place every year in Collelongo, a mountain village in the Marsica area of the L'Aquila province, on January 16th and 17th. The origins of the rite date back at least to the end of the 17th century: a stone statue of the saint dated 1692 is preserved in the village church, a testament to a devotion that the community has celebrated continuously for over four hundred years.

The rite of the Cuttore

The heart of the festival lies in the Cuttore: this term refers both to the large copper cauldrons and the houses where they are set up, inside large fireplaces decorated with oranges and the image of the saint. Every year, groups of families, associations, and friends set up at least a dozen stations scattered throughout the historic center. In the cauldrons, they cook cicerocchi, a traditional corn soup offered for free to the faithful, fellow villagers, and visitors: hospitality and generosity are the values that drive the entire event.

The blessed oranges, locally called pertecalle, which adorn the fireplaces next to the sacred images, are later distributed to the sick, combining physical nourishment with the dimension of spiritual healing.

Bonfires, torches, and procession

On the evening of January 16th, the village lights up: after the opening with traditional firecrackers and the lighting of the Cuttore, the torcioni are raised—large conical stacks of oak and beech wood supported by iron structures that burn all night in the main squares. In the evening, a fireworks display illuminates the sky of Collelongo, followed by the procession and the blessing of the Cuttore, with the participation of civil and religious authorities.

The Conche Rescagnate and the blessing of animals

At dawn on January 17th, the evocative Parade of the Conche Rescagnate takes place: the women of the village, in traditional dress, walk through the streets of the village balancing decorated copper basins on their heads, a symbol of the community's pride and grace. The day continues with the blessing of animals and traditional games, moments that recall the deep bond between Saint Anthony Abbot, protector of domestic animals, and the farming and pastoral culture of the Marsica region.

An intangible heritage to be safeguarded

The Cuttore festival is included among the expressions of Italy's intangible cultural heritage and is the subject of preservation and promotion efforts. In a territory marked by the depopulation of inland areas, this collective rite represents a powerful tool for social cohesion and the transmission of identity. The Municipality of Collelongo, in Abruzzo, organizes it together with the entire community, making it an event that attracts visitors from across the region and beyond every year.