Saints Valentino and Damiano Festival – Blessing of the Lovers

The village that bears the name of love

San Valentino in Abruzzo Citeriore is one of the most charming villages in the province of Pescara, nestled among the hills that rise toward the Maiella and Morrone massifs in the heart of Abruzzo. It owes its name to the martyr saints Valentino and Damiano, the town's patrons, whose relics are kept in the monumental 18th-century cathedral. It is no surprise, then, that every February 14th, the patronal festival intertwines with the most romantic day of the year, giving life to the famous Blessing of the Lovers.

The religious celebration

The heart of the festival is the solemn evening Mass at 6:00 PM in the Cathedral of Saints Valentino and Damiano, located in Piazza del Duomo. According to tradition, February 14th marks the martyrdom of the patron saints: during the celebration, the Transitus of the Martyr Saints Valentino and Damiano is read, and the community receives a blessing with the relics of the saints, which are displayed for the occasion for the veneration of the faithful.

The blessing of the lovers

Surrounding the religious observance, the village transforms into the village of lovers. Couples are invited to participate in a symbolic ceremony, the blessing of the lovers, which takes place in one of the most picturesque spots in the historic center. It is a heartfelt moment that renews the bond between popular tradition and the village's identity every year, attracting visitors who choose San Valentino in Abruzzo Citeriore for a romantic getaway on the very day of lovers.

Markets, concerts, and atmosphere

The village streets fill with artisan markets featuring local cheeses, cured meats, and traditional sweets, while concerts, performances, and romantic decorations accompany the day. There are also workshops for ceramics, painting, and crafts led by residents, along with live music and festive moments along the alleys overlooking the Pescara River valley, a panoramic viewpoint from which the gaze reaches all the way to the Adriatic Sea.

A village to discover

The festival is also the ideal opportunity to discover the town's heritage: the Palazzo Farnese, the Cathedral of Saints Valentino and Damiano with its Vanvitellian-style facade, the Museum of Fossils and Amber, and the historic churches that house works of great value. Immersed in the territory of the Maiella National Park, San Valentino in Abruzzo Citeriore combines faith, tradition, and landscape in one of the most characteristic celebrations in Abruzzo.