Tomorrow, first Sunday in June the feast of the Madonna dei Sette dolori begins. The tradition started in 1757 after the apparition of the Virgin Mary with seven swords in her heart. And in 1893 they prayed the virgin Mary for rain, and rain came and saved the fields of Castellammare. After the religious ceremonies, the feast will continue with music on Monday and fireworks. Since last year the statue can again appear in her precious crown, previously stolen and then rescued by the police.

The tradition of San Zopito is one of the most fascinating Abruzzese rites. Last year Don Camillo Smigliani, revealed he had found in the saint's Urn a letter dated 12 oct 1710, where the church of Rome confirmed the identity of the relics. On Sunday morning the traditional kneeling of the white ox will be re-enacted. Among the miracles ascribed to San Zopito: a lady was healed of a wound in her leg by the oil of the saint's lamp, which also eliminated the bladder stones of notary Domenico Caldarale. All over the world the name of the saint has followed the Loretesi.

Lorenzo Filomusi Guelfi has prepared a new wine with chardonnay, sauvignon and malvasia vines, grown in the fields of Ceppete, Tocco da Casauria, among the best wine-producing areas near Pescara. Fresh and rich in flavor, the wine can be ordered from Scuderie del Cielo Azienda Filomusi Guelfi via Guelfi, 11 - Tocco da Casauria Telefono 085 98353- Price 13,000 Lire

For decades now restaurant La Murena (via Buozzi, 89 - Pescara telefono 085 378246) has kept to the traditional style and recipes: insalata di mare, ostriche, guazzetto di cozze e vongole, il fritto di «cianghette», pannocchiette and pesce azzurro, the very special first course called "zita spezzata al sugo rosso di pesce" or the classical "spaghetti alla marinara" , all accompanied by Abruzzese wines.

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