Saint Margaret Festival

The patronal feast of Pettorano sul Gizio

In the heart of the Peligna Valley, nestled in the Abruzzo mountains at the gateway to the Majella National Park, the village of Pettorano sul Gizio, in the province of L'Aquila, celebrates its patron saint every mid-July: the Saint Margaret Festival. Saint Margaret of Antioch, a virgin and martyr, is revered by the locals as the protector of waters and the "Lady of the Gizio," the river that still feeds the fountains and irrigates the fields of the lower Peligna Valley toward Sulmona. For the community, this anniversary is an essential element of their cultural identity.

The procession and the traditions of July 13th

The main day is July 13th, the saint's liturgical feast. Early in the morning, locals of all ages hike to the Saint Margaret valley for the religious service, to weave traditional boxwood palms, and to share salami and buccellati outdoors around the small church. In the afternoon, following the solemn mass, the village streets fill with people for the characteristic procession that winds through the historic center, accompanied by a brass band. An old local saying captures the value of this return: "A Santa Margarita, chi 'nn è revenute o s'è muèrte o s'è perdute", meaning those who haven't returned to the village for the feast are either dead or lost. The festival has always been the "feast of the return," when emigrants scattered across the Roman countryside or the mountains would return to reunite with their families.

Musical evenings in Piazza Umberto I

Alongside the religious and traditional aspects, the festival offers a rich program of evening concerts in Piazza Umberto I, organized by the municipal administration. The program ranges from 1960s and 70s rock and pop to international pop and Italian singer-songwriter classics, with performances that bring the village nights to life until late.

Flavors and atmosphere of the village

The festival is also the perfect opportunity to discover local gastronomy: market stalls, food stands, and the festival of typical products, including the sweet and savory versions of crustola, accompany the days. Strolling through the alleys of one of Italy's most beautiful villages, illuminated for the celebration, and watching the fireworks that close the festivities, reveals the authentic soul of this corner of Abruzzo.