San Donato and Sant'Emidio Festival

The patronal festival of Guardiagrele

The San Donato and Sant'Emidio Festival is the primary religious and popular celebration in Guardiagrele, an elegant village in the province of Chieti nestled on the slopes of the Maiella National Park, in Abruzzo. Every year in early August, the entire historic center gathers around its patron saints: San Donato of Arezzo, a bishop and martyr venerated on August 7th, and Sant'Emidio, the protector against earthquakes, celebrated on August 8th.

The procession of the copper basins

The most iconic and moving moment of the festival is the procession of the conche (copper basins). Women in traditional dress parade through the village streets carrying antique conche di rame on their heads, now adorned with flowers: a gesture that evokes the ancient devotion of farmers who offered the fruits of their land and labor to the church. It is no coincidence that this tradition thrives in Guardiagrele, historically renowned for its copper and wrought iron craftsmanship, earning it the title of the capital of Abruzzo's artistic handicrafts.

A program between the sacred and the secular

The festival days alternate between religious rites and secular events. The schedule features holy masses throughout the morning in the village churches, particularly in the collegiate church of Santa Maria Maggiore and the church of San Donato, followed in the afternoon by solemn processions accompanying the statues of the patron saints through the town center. In the evening, the village lights up with artistic illuminations, brass band concerts, performances by Abruzzese folk groups, and traditional fireworks, while food stalls offer local specialties.

Guardiagrele, the city of stone

The festival is also an opportunity to discover one of Italy's most beautiful villages. Gabriele D'Annunzio, who described its beauty in his novel The Triumph of Death, dubbed it the «city of stone». Walking through the alleys, you will encounter workshops of goldsmiths, coppersmiths, and blacksmiths, taste the famous sise delle monache in the pastry shops, and visit churches rich in history. Participating in the San Donato Festival means immersing yourself in the authentic soul of Abruzzo, amidst faith, tradition, and hospitality.

An event to experience

Open to the faithful, the curious, and tourists alike, the patronal festival of the Municipality of Guardiagrele is a free, open-air event that attracts visitors from neighboring towns and the entire region every summer. It is an experience that combines the spirituality of popular devotion with the warmth of a town square celebration, set in one of the most evocative landscapes of the Abruzzo mountains.