During your stay in L’Aquila district in Abruzzo, you can take part in the feasts and food festivals in the Abruzzo National Park, and other events that are organized every year in this beautiful region.
GARA MTB
In Barrea there’s the MTB RACE in July, a cross country mountain bike race which attracts thousands of visitors and enthusiasts every year. The race is part of the individual regional championship and many young cyclists are involved in this challenge!
ECOLONGA
In Pescasseroli there’s the ECOLONGA in July. Now there’s its twenty-eighth edition, and it is a race with a 13 km long route that extends in an enviable natural landscape, among woods and grassland fields and then returns to the village. There are more than 200 participants in the race to compete in various categories, and there is also a competition for children of 5 years or older. There’s a big refreshment at the end of the awards ceremony that will award all the effort!
Ecolonga
LA DODDA
On the last Saturday of August in Villeta Barrea there’s the Dodda. The Dodda is the bride’s dowry and the festival about the marriage tradition. The Dodda procession used to carry the dowry in the new house of the couple, so family and friends had to bring everything with them, kits, mattresses, jewelry. The procession was composed mainly of women and today it is still a cheerful procession. In August you can also visit the Dodda exhibition and admire the antique kits and the beautiful needlework and embroidery made by the women in the past.
PALIO DELLA STELLA
In Villeta Barrea there’s the PALIO DELLA STELLA in August. In this event the districts of Barrea compete in a horse race to win the Chimera Sannita. Three riders for each district will compete and will try to grab as many stars as they can as quickly as possible.
La Dodda
SAGRA DEGLI ORAPI
On the 13th of August in Barrea you can taste many delicious dishes thanks to the ORAPI FESTIVAL. The orapi are wild mountain spinach, widespread in Abruzzo and present in many traditional recipes. They are used to make salads, condiments to serve with meats, soups or sauce and stuffed pasta. Just like spinach, orapi are versatile and easy to prepare vegetables, but they have a distinctive taste that you should try!
SAPORI D’AUTUNNO
In Opi there’s the TASTE OF AUTUMN festival in late October. Some typical autumn dishes are served during the event such as the opiana soup, the Panonta, the scamorza, roasted chestnuts and a lot of wine. In the square there will be a bonfire to create a warm and friendly atmosphere.
VICOLI DEI PRESEPI
In Pescasseroli, in December, there are the VICOLI DEI PRESEPI made to create a special Christmas atmosphere. The whole village is busy building cribs along all the streets of the old town centre. The magical Christmas atmosphere is recreated with various types of materials, shapes and colours, there are cribs made of cloth, wood, paper, in traditional and modern styles. Miniature or big, simple or with mechanical movements. Creativity has no limits and involves adults and children!
A TRCNELL
In Pescasseroli there’s the TRCNELL festival on December 7th. These “torcinelli” are the traditional Christmas desserts of this village, prepared with flour, potatoes, eggs and anise seeds, fried in a pan and sprinkled with sugar, to make Christmas even sweeter!
