The Sacred Legend of San Domenico and the Wolf

Photo credits: Simona Evangelista

Every first Sunday of May, the quiet mountain village of Pretoro in Abruzzo comes alive to celebrate one of Abruzzo's most fascinating sacred traditions: “Lu Lope”, the Miracle of San Domenico and the Wolf. This unique religious and folkloric event blends Christian devotion with ancient pagan symbols, including snakes, wolves, and forest spirits - elements deeply rooted in Abruzzese heritage.

A Story of Miracles and Mountains

The family: a woodcutter, his wife (played by a man), and their baby.

According to the legend, while a humble family was gathering wood in the forest, a wolf kidnapped their newborn child. In desperation, the parents prayed to San Domenico Abate, a revered saint known for his powers over wild animals. Moved by their pleas, the saint commanded the wolf to return the child unharmed. The creature obeyed, placing the baby gently at the saint’s feet. The bells rang out across the Maiella mountains, announcing the miracle to the world.

This story is retold each year in a living representation that draws both locals and travelers into a powerful moment of shared history and belief.

The Festival Experience: A Day in Pretoro

The event begins in the early morning with a religious mass at the church of San Domenico, followed by a vibrant procession. The most striking feature? The “serpari”, or snake handlers, who carry live serpents captured from the surrounding forests. This rite mirrors similar traditions in nearby Cocullo, connecting Pretoro to an ancient cult of Angitia, the snake goddess.

The Snake Handlers' Competition

An unusual yet symbolic event, the festival includes a contest among the serpari. Their snakes, often grass snakes or other non-venomous species, are judged based on size and rarity. This ritual honors San Domenico’s protection from snake bites and rabid dogs, reinforcing the deep connection between man, nature, and faith.

The Sacred Performance of "Lu Lope"

In the afternoon, the village stages the dramatic reenactment of the miracle. Local artisans, known as “fusari,” portray the roles: a woodcutter, his wife (humorously played by a man in traditional costume), their baby (always the most recently born male child in Pretoro), and the fearsome wolf.

The performance, set to traditional songs and local dialect, is filled with ritual symbolism:

• The wolf costume is made of real fur and a papier-mâché mask

• The family’s rustic meal and lullaby

• The dramatic kidnapping and the divine intervention

This scene not only honors the saint but revives a collective memory that binds generations of Pretoro’s residents.

Similar representations are also found in Villamagna and Villalago, both villages of Abruzzo.

Cultural Echoes: From Pagan Roots to Christian Rites

The presence of snakes and wolves, both feared and revered in ancient times, hints at a pre-Christian origin. These animals were once seen as sacred mediators between humans and the divine. The cult of Angitia, goddess of healing and snakes, gradually merged with Christian hagiography, giving rise to hybrid rituals like those of San Domenico.

Today, this syncretism lives on in Pretoro’s festival, a rare example of how ancient belief systems continue to shape modern religious identity.

Snake handler showing a snake around.

Why Visit Pretoro for the San Domenico Festival?

• Experience one of Italy’s least known but most evocative festivals

• Witness living folklore passed down through centuries

• Explore the Maiella National Park, home to breathtaking trails and medieval villages

• Taste authentic Abruzzese cuisine during the celebration

• Be part of a tradition where faith, myth, and nature come together

The Miracle of San Domenico and the Wolf is more than a festival—it’s a living story, a sacred drama rooted in the wild heart of Abruzzo. If you’re seeking authentic Italian culture, untouched by mass tourism, Pretoro is the place where history howls through the forest and tradition walks on two legs... or four.