Saint Scholastica Festival

A celebration of devotion and rural heritage

The Saint Scholastica Festival is one of the most deeply rooted events in the calendar of Corropoli, a village in the Val Vibrata area of the Teramo province, in the heart of Abruzzo. Every year, at the beginning of February, the town gathers around the figure of the saint with a celebration that blends faith, rural memory, and popular festivities, drawing residents and visitors from across the valley.

The roots of the cult

Devotion to Saint Scholastica is linked to a small church built by Benedictine monks from the Gabiano monastery in the Villaggio Ripoli area between the end of the first and the beginning of the second millennium. A spring flows near the chapel, which tradition credits with miraculous properties, particularly the ability to aid nursing mothers. In the past, the occasion was accompanied by an important livestock fair in the fields surrounding the sanctuary; today, the religious dimension remains vibrant, with mass and a procession, alongside the popular appeal of the fair and entertainment.

What to expect

During the festival days, Corropoli comes alive with a traditional fair, rural heritage stands, a funfair for all ages, and numerous entertainment initiatives. Key moments of popular devotion include the procession with the statue of Saint Scholastica accompanied by fireworks, the characteristic tractor rally with the blessing of agricultural vehicles, and the organetto competition, an authentic symbol of Abruzzese musical culture.

Musical performances take place inside a large, heated marquee, ensuring the festivities continue regardless of the February chill. The Organizing Committee also offers visitors tarallucci and mulled wine, fostering the convivial atmosphere that is an integral part of the tradition.

An event for the entire Val Vibrata

Between the sacred and the profane, the Saint Scholastica Festival tells the story of the soul of Corropoli and the Teramo region: Benedictine faith, the bond with the land and water, a passion for folk music, and the pleasure of gathering in the town square. It is one of the best opportunities to discover the hospitality and traditions of the Val Vibrata in the heart of winter.