Cocullo and the Festa dei Serpari

Cocullo’s local history spans the area’s pre-Roman origins, its medieval fortifications, and its churches and works of art. At the same time, the Serpari ritual shapes the festivities in May. For planning your trip, this means you can distinguish between a specific festival date and a focus on local history.

The Serpari ritual and the May festival

The Festa dei Serpari takes place every year in May. On May 1, the procession for the feast of Saint Domenico Abate begins in Cocullo, featuring the Serpari ritual; a statue of Saint Domenico covered in snakes is carried in the procession. Preparations begin earlier: around Cocullo, the Serpari start catching local snakes on March 19, making them harmless and displaying them during the procession. Thus, both the spring preparations and the May procession form part of the ritual’s timeline.

During the San Domenico festival, two women in traditional costumes carry baskets containing five Ciambellati. These ring-shaped breads are decorated with colored sugar sprinkles. A multimedia exhibition is also devoted to the ritual: since 2004, it has been set up at the Centro Studi e Documentazione Regionale per le Tradizioni Popolari and covers the various stages of the Serpari ritual. The exhibition may change, so check the latest information in advance if you would like to include it in your plans.

History and church art in the old town

The medieval settlement of Cocullo was fortified in the 12th century. A burial ground discovered in the Cocullo area attests to the area’s pre-Roman origins. The Rione San Nicola includes one of the oldest and best-preserved parts of the historic center.

In the upper part of the town stands a medieval tower, originally used as a watchtower and later converted into the bell tower of the Church of San Nicola. The church also dates back to the 12th century. Taken together, these historical traces span the area’s pre-Roman origins and its medieval structures.

Santa Maria delle Grazie also offers several distinct historical points of interest: its façade is adorned with a rose window, and the church has 16th-century frescoes depicting the Deposition from the Cross and the Crucifixion. Since 2009, the statue of Saint Domenico di Sora has been housed there; it was moved there after the earthquake. The celebrations for the patron saint’s feast on May 1 take place at Santa Maria delle Grazie because the sanctuary remains damaged. As its condition may change, check before your trip whether this venue still applies to your dates.

Location and getting there

Cocullo lies in the valley of the Rio Pezzana, a tributary of the Sagittario. The Oasi Gole del Sagittario is located in the surrounding area, in the municipality of Anversa degli Abruzzi. It is a regional nature reserve and a Special Protection Area (IT7110099).

From Rome, take the A25 Rome–Pescara motorway. At the Cocullo exit, continue along Via San Maria in Campo toward Cocullo. Cocullo railway station is about 2 km from the town center. These details provide two concrete points of reference for your journey: the road route from Rome described above and the approximate distance from the station to the town center.

Choose your travel dates based on what you want to see

If you are especially interested in the Festa dei Serpari, plan your trip for May and check the specific event dates for the year in question. If you also plan to attend the patron saint’s feast, it is advisable to confirm the venue in advance. If your focus is instead on the historic areas and church art, these can shape your choice of travel dates independently of the festival. When looking for hotels in Cocullo, your reason for visiting is therefore a useful first step: it helps you match your preferred travel dates with the focus of your stay.

Discover more destinations: Rivisondoli, Massa D'albe, Mascioni, Pacentro, Opi, Pescina, Avezzano, Campotosto.

Back to the regional travel overview: L-Aquila.