Transhumance Festival

The Transhumance Festival in Barrea

In the medieval village of Barrea, in the province of L'Aquila, the Transhumance Festival pays tribute to one of the most ancient and defining traditions of Abruzzo: the seasonal migration of flocks along the tratturi (shepherd trails), the vast grassy paths that for centuries connected the Apennine mountain pastures to the plains of the Tavoliere delle Puglie. Transhumance was recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2019, and Barrea, crossed by the famous Pescasseroli-Candela trail, preserves its living memory.

A village in the heart of the Park

Perched above Lake Barrea, in the heart of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park, the town is one of the most picturesque in the region: stone-walled alleys, a monumental castle overlooking the valley, and views that open up over the surrounding mountains. It is in this setting that the festival weaves together nature, history, and community, transforming medieval squares and gateways into places of storytelling.

Memory, art, and territory

The event was born as an act of collective memory: an opportunity to rediscover the deep bond between humans, animals, and the land, and to promote pastoral culture as a living heritage. The program combines cultural and artistic moments, with film screenings dedicated to the places and voices of transhumance and public art installations designed to leave a permanent mark on the village.

• Screenings and testimonies on the Abruzzo pastoral civilization
• Public art and murals inspired by the transhumance trails
• Meetings between scholars, researchers, artists, and the local community
• Promotion of the Pescasseroli-Candela trail and the villages of the Park

Who organizes the festival

The event is promoted by the Pro Loco Vallis Regia of Barrea APS, together with the Fondazione CREA and the Abruzzo Region, with the involvement of local institutions and the residents of the Municipality of Barrea. A project that combines sustainable tourism promotion with the protection of intangible heritage, inviting visitors and residents alike to rediscover the pastoral roots of inland Abruzzo.