Once a year, the quiet village of Cocullo, nestled in the rugged hills of Abruzzo, Italy, transforms into the site of one of the most curious and fascinating folk rituals in Europe. It’s the “Rito dei Serpari“, or Festival of the Snake Catchers.
The Rito dei Serpari
On May 1st, thousands of people—locals, pilgrims, and curious travelers—gather in this hilltop village. They’re not there for a typical religious event, but to see something truly unusual: live snakes wrapped around a statue of a saint, carried through the streets in a wild, one-of-a-kind parade.
At the center of this surreal celebration is a convergence of ancient pagan rites and Christian devotion. This cult is fused together in a tradition that predates modern Italy itself.
To really get what this festival is about, you have to step into a world where faith, nature, and tradition all come together. It’s one of the most unique and mysterious celebrations of living culture in Europe.
Ancestral Roots: From Marsican Shamans to Christian Saints
The origins of Cocullo’s snake festival date back over two thousand years. It began with the Marsi, an ancient tribe from Abruzzo known for their spiritual traditions and legendary ability to control snakes.
At the heart of their beliefs was the Goddess Angitia, known for her healing powers and protection against snake bites. The Marsi worshipped her in sacred groves near the shores of Lake Fucino. Angitia’s followers—healers, herbalists, and possibly shamans—were thought to handle snakes with divine sanction.
With the rise of Christianity in the region, these deeply rooted traditions did not vanish—they evolved. By the 10th century, the Marsican serpent cult had changed into the cult of Saint Domenico di Sora. He was a Benedictine monk famous for his missionary work and healing miracles.
Local stories say that Saint Domenico used his faith to chase away snakes and demons. He was also known for healing villagers’ toothaches and snakebites.
So, the snake—which used to be a symbol of ancient healing—became a Christian sign of protection and salvation. The Rito dei Serpari grew out of this mix, blending old and new spiritual traditions.
Where is Cocullo?
Cocullo is a small town located in the Abruzzo region of central Italy, within the province of L’Aquila. It’s located in the Apennine Mountains, about 900 meters above sea level. The village is roughly a 90-minute drive east of Rome.
When it comes to reaching Cocullo, there are a few important things to know. This tiny village, home to just around 200 residents, welcomed an astonishing 20,000 visitors during the Rito dei Serpari on May 1st, 2025. With such a dramatic influx of people, planning your trip is essential.
How to Get There
There are two main ways to get to Cocullo: by car or by train.
How to Get to Cocullo – By Train
Reaching Cocullo by train is one of the easiest and most convenient options, especially on the day of the festival. The town has the Cocullo station on the Avezzano–Sulmona railway line. From there, it’s just an 800-meter walk—about 10 minutes—to the center of the festival.
In 2025, Trenitalia introduced a special service for the Rito dei Serpari on Thursday, May 1st. To accommodate the large number of visitors, the train schedule was reinforced with 9 special trains, and 3 regular trains added extra stops in Cocullo. In total, there were 4,000 seats available for those traveling to and from Cocullo by train on the day of the event.
The easiest way to book a train ticket is by visiting the official website of Trenitalia.
How to Get to Cocullo – By Car
Driving to Cocullo is possible, but expect heavy traffic on the day of the Rito dei Serpari. Special parking lots are set up for the event, but some are quite far from the town and most fill up early. If you arrive before 9:00 AM, you’ll have a better chance of finding a spot closer to the town.
A convenient option is to park near the train station, along the main road. This is just a short 1-km walk from the festival area, but it fills up quickly.
After the festiva, leaving Cocullo by car also comes with its own challenges. It took us over an hour to drive just 3 km due to congestion on the narrow mountain roads. If you choose to drive, come early and be prepared for delays on your way out.
The Serpari: Keepers of a Living Ritual
Key to the festival’s survival are the Serpari, or snake handlers—often from the same few families—who carry forward the knowledge of safely capturing and caring for non-venomous wild snakes. You can recognize them by the badge they wear, marked with the title Serpari.
Weeks before the festival, the Serpari head into the forests, grasslands, and rocky areas around Cocullo. They search for four types of snakes: the four-lined, Aesculapian, green whip, and grass snakes.
The snakes are then treated carefully and with respect. They’re kept in hand-woven wicker baskets or glass terrariums until the procession day.
In past centuries, these men were considered custodians of magical knowledge—heirs to ancient Marsican lore. Today, they are seen as cultural guardians, preserving a ritual that binds the community to its storied past.
To our surprise, we discovered that many Serpari are just regular young people. They catch snakes themselves before the festival and care for them at home. It’s common for Serpari to join the tradition as kids, as this practice is passed down through generations.
The Day of the Festival: A Sacred Procession
On the morning of May 1st, Cocullo awakens with anticipation. Pilgrims flood the cobbled alleys, regional flags flutter from balconies, and the scent of roasted meat, sweets and wild herbs fills the air. But all eyes eventually turn to the small Church of Madonna delle Grazie, where the ceremony begins.
We arrived in town early, around 8:00 AM, to fully take in the festival preparations and have a chance to speak with the Serpari. By then, the church was already packed, as the first Holy Mass begins right at 8:00 AM. The religious program includes three morning Masses—at 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 AM—followed by the procession at 12:00 PM. Later in the day, a final Mass at 5:30 PM marks the close of the religious celebrations, followed by a music party in the evening.
The early morning
In the morning, you can stroll through the narrow streets, soaking in the preparations for the festival. The musical band plays as it winds through the town, while the Serpari take the snakes out for the first time. Visitors eagerly gather around, snapping pictures with the serpents as the excitement builds.
The main square
Inside the church, we found the statue of Saint Domenico, clutching a steel tooth—a symbol of his protection against toothache, snake bites, and rabies. At 12:30 PM, the solemn procession began, and the statue was carefully carried outside.
The main square was packed with people. By 11:00 AM, the crowd had already gathered, unable to move, yet patiently awaiting the statue’s emergence. As it was carried outside, the statue was adorned with wriggling serpents—draped over his shoulders, wrapped around his arms, and coiled at his feet. The procession was accompanied by ancient hymns and ritual prayers, creating a deeply mystical atmosphere.
The procession
The scene is both strange and deeply respectful. As the statue is carried through the streets, surrounded by musicians, priests, and people waving flags, some onlookers step back in awe, while others reach out to touch the statue—hoping for protection, healing, or a connection to something ancient.
The procession winds its way through Cocullo, a celebration not of control over nature, but of living in harmony with it—reflecting the old Marsican belief that snakes are sacred messengers of balance and change.
Preservation and Recognition
In a modern world where traditions are rapidly fading, Cocullo’s festival has stood the test of time—not as a relic, but as a living tradition. Since 2009, it has been under evaluation for inclusion in UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and has already been listed by Italy’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage as a protected anthropological ritual.
Yet what sustains the Festa dei Serpari is not external recognition, but the deep connection between people, land, and legacy. In Cocullo, the snake is not feared, but revered. The villagers do not merely re-enact history—they live it. And in doing so, they invite the world to bear witness to a page of Italy’s spiritual and cultural manuscript, written in scales and prayer.
A Note to the Traveler
Going to Cocullo’s Festa dei Serpari means walking a fine line between fear and fascination. It challenges what we think we know, gives new meaning to old symbols, and offers a unique glimpse into a side of Italy few people see. And maybe, just like the ancient Marsi believed, the snake—quietly moving through fields and forests—isn’t something to fear, but a guide, reminding us of the power and mystery of nature.
