Saint Anthony Abbot Festival – Lu Sbannimènde
The centuries-old Saint Anthony Abbot festival featuring the sacred 'frasche' auction in San Valentino in Abruzzo Citeriore
About Lu Sbannimènde
Lu Sbannimènde: The Saint Anthony Abbot Festival in San Valentino
In the village of San Valentino in Abruzzo Citeriore, located in the province of Pescara on the northern edge of the Majella National Park, the Saint Anthony Abbot festival is one of the most cherished events of the year. Saint Anthony is the patron saint of animals and the farming world, and here, his feast day kicks off the Carnival cycle with a series of folk rituals that folklorist Antonio De Nino once described as unique to this village.
The Sacred Auction of the 'Frasche'
The heart of the festival is 'lu Sbannimènde', a type of sacred auction held in the afternoon: gifts, local produce, and votive arrangements are offered to the community and auctioned off in honor of the Saint, with proceeds funding the festivities and charitable works. The gifts arrive via 'le frasche'—laurel branches adorned with sweets, cured meats, and even live animals like hens, lambs, or piglets. Historically, these branches were carried in a procession from the surrounding districts to the village, accompanied by music and singing.
The Blessing of the Animals and the Procession
The morning religious program features Holy Masses, the blessing of animals and the agricultural community in Piazza del Duomo, and the traditional procession, accompanied by the Banda Città di Chieti. Bread and fava beans are blessed and distributed: white bread for people and bread with fava beans for the animals. In the evening, "Lu Sant'Andonie" is performed—a dramatization of the Saint's temptations by the Amici del Sant'Antonio group, featuring music by Gaetano Iezzi and lyrics by Pasquale Stromei.
Chants and Fireworks
After the evening Mass, the traditional Saint Anthony chant rings out in the Cathedral, and the festivities conclude with fireworks visible from Piazzale Porta Grande. It is a celebration that blends faith, rural memory, and spectacle, standing as one of the most genuine expressions of Abruzzese folk tradition.
A Village to Discover
The festival is also the perfect opportunity to visit San Valentino in Abruzzo Citeriore, a medieval village in the Pescara area known for holding the record for the longest municipal name in Italy, all nestled within the scenic Majella landscape.
Lu Sbannimènde — edition 2026
For the 2026 edition, the Saint Anthony Abbot festival in San Valentino in Abruzzo Citeriore (PE) opened on Thursday, January 15, with the preparatory triduum. Throughout the festival days, bread and fava beans were prepared and blessed for distribution to homes. Sunday, January 18, marked the most anticipated moment: farm animals were brought to Piazza del Duomo at 10:45 AM for the blessing, followed by Holy Mass and the procession accompanied by the Banda Città di Chieti. In the afternoon, 'lu Sbannimènde' took place, the sacred auction of 'frasche' laden with sweets, cured meats, and products offered by the faithful. After the evening Mass in the Cathedral, the traditional Saint Anthony chant and fireworks from Piazzale Porta Grande concluded the festivities.
Programme Lu Sbannimènde 2026
Preparatory Triduum
- From Thursday, January 15 — Triduum in preparation for the Saint's feast at the SS. Valentino e Damiano parish church
Saturday, January 17 — Liturgical memorial of Saint Anthony Abbot
- Preparation and blessing of bread and fava beans for home distribution (white bread for people, bread with fava beans for animals)
Sunday, January 18 — Festival Day
- Morning — Holy Masses
- 10:45 AM — Blessing of animals and the agricultural community in Piazza del Duomo
- Following — Holy Mass and procession in honor of the Saint with the Banda Città di Chieti
- Afternoon — 'lu Sbannimènde': sacred auction of 'frasche' (sweets, cured meats, animals) and gifts offered to the community
- Evening — Performance of "Lu Sant'Andonie" by the Amici del Sant'Antonio group (music by Gaetano Iezzi, text by Pasquale Stromei)
- After evening Mass — Traditional Saint Anthony chant
- Closing — Fireworks from Piazzale Porta Grande
Highlights Lu Sbannimènde 2026
Prices Lu Sbannimènde 2026
Practical information — Lu Sbannimènde
Where
Piazza del Duomo and Piazzale Porta Grande, San Valentino in Abruzzo Citeriore (PE), Abruzzo. Parish Church of SS. Valentino e Damiano.
When
Every year in mid-January, around the liturgical feast of Saint Anthony Abbot (January 17), with a preparatory triduum in the preceding days.
How to get there
San Valentino in Abruzzo Citeriore is less than 40 km from the Adriatic coast, on the northern side of the Majella National Park. It is accessible by car via the A25 motorway (Scafa-Alanno exit) and the provincial roads of the Val Pescara.
Admission
Participation in the rituals and festivities is free.
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Where does it take place — Lu Sbannimènde
Piazza del Duomo e Piazzale Porta Grande
Piazza del Duomo, 1, 65020 San Valentino in Abruzzo Citeriore