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Pilgrimage to the hermitage of Santa Colomba
| What | Religious event |
|---|---|
| When | September |
| Where | Pretara - Isola del Gran Sasso |
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The small church dedicated to Santa Colomba stands near Pretara; it has a small hail form belltower where a statue of the saint eremite is kept.
According to tradition brother Berardo had the hermitage built, he was the son of the Counts of Pagliara and Bishop of Teramo from 1116 to 1122 and then became Patron of the capital of Aprutium.
It is said that Coloma wanting to visit Berardo and not having any gift to bring him, had a cherry tree which stood near the hermitage bear fruits in the middle of winter so that she could bring him the fruits as a present.
Every year on the 1st September, the day of her death, the devotees walk along in procession up to the church and carry flowers to adorn the statue.
The procession walks to the sound of the musical band “Li Tamurre” which was originally created during the 15th century.
Once at the church, the custom has it that each one of the devotees stops in front of the altar, which was built on top of where the couch of the saint is thought to have been and introduces the head through a hole in the altar as this should prevent from misfortunes.
Since 1596, the saint's relics are kept in the Church of Santa Lucia of Isola del Gran Sasso.