Sant'Onofrio Festival

A devotion reborn in Collesecco

The Sant'Onofrio Festival is held in Contrada Collesecco, a rural hamlet in the municipality of Tollo, in the province of Chieti, deep in the heart of the Abruzzo wine country. While its current form is recent, the festival has ancient roots: it was born from the local residents' desire to revive the cult of Saint Onuphrius, associated with the ruins of a small hermitage that once stood here. The remains of this ancient retreat, uncovered years ago during field work, combined with the memories of the elders, have rekindled the community's bond with this saint, creating a celebration described as "a festival reborn among the stones of time."

Saint Onuphrius the Hermit, the saint of June 12th

Saint Onuphrius was an anchorite who lived in the Egyptian desert during the 4th century, venerated as a model of eremitic life and radical poverty. His feast day falls on June 12th, the date around which the festivities in Collesecco are centered. Popular devotion links him to the land, shepherds, and rural communities—a cult that fits perfectly with the agricultural identity of Tollo, a village known as the "land of grapes and wine."

Procession, Mass, and Votive Chapel

The religious aspect is the heart of the festival. In the late afternoon, around 7:00 PM, a procession and solemn mass take place. The inaugural edition also featured the blessing of a votive chapel housing a statue of the saint, crafted by the local community. It is a simple, heartfelt rite that unites the families of Collesecco and pilgrims from neighboring towns in a prayerful walk along the country roads.

The evening festivities

As evening falls, around 8:00 PM, the festival takes on a more convivial character: food stalls open, offering Abruzzese culinary specialties and local wines, while music enlivens the square late into the night. It is a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together, share a meal, and renew neighborhood ties in an authentic rural setting.

Part of the 'Sorsi d'Estate' program

The Sant'Onofrio Festival is part of the 'Sorsi d'Estate' (Sips of Summer) summer program organized by the Municipality of Tollo. This series of events, running from May to October, weaves together tradition, culture, sports, and gastronomy to showcase the identity of the "land of grapes and wine." The event is promoted by the municipal administration in collaboration with local associations and the Pro Loco Tolle Me. For visitors, it is a chance to discover a lesser-known corner of Abruzzo, amidst vineyard-covered hills, religious traditions, and warm village hospitality.