Cocullo
Welcome to Cocullo, a town full of history and tradition!
Cocullo is a beautiful Italian municipality located in Abruzzo. This small village of 213 inhabitants is situated on a hill at the southern end of the Catini mountain with a spectacular view of the Peligna and Marsica valleys.
Origins of the Name
The toponym Cocullo does not have a defined origin. However, there is a hypothesis that could take us back to a Roman settlement called "Koukolon," which may have also been discovered by Strabo.
History
Origins
The origins of Cocullo are uncertain. However, since it is located on the border between the Peligna Valley and Marsica, the town would have been under the influence of both the Italic cultures of the Marsi and the Peligni. Probably the two peoples mixed, giving rise to the town of Koukolon.
The village was conquered by the Romans in 89 B.C. during the Social War and was rebuilt as an important passage station through the mountains that separate the Marsica from the Peligna Valley.
Middle Ages
After the Roman Empire, Cocullo suffered Gothic and Byzantine invasions in the 5th-6th century A.D., and the small Roman village was abandoned. However, it was later refounded by the Lombards as a small fortified garrison with a central guard tower. Today, the church of San Nicola stands here.
In the Middle Ages, Cocullo was included in the County of Valva and the Duchy of Spoleto, governed by the Saxon dynasty of the Ottos. However, the town was increasingly brought into the sights of the Marsi County of Celano.
Festa dei Serpari
The famous patron saint festival of the Serpari is attributed to the Marsian cult of the goddess Angizia, who knew how to tame fire and snakes. The belief of the Italic tradition was so strong that the Romans gave this people the name of healers and magicians who used snake venom. Probably this rite was also practiced in the Roman village of Cocullo, and with the arrival of Christianity, the figure of St. Dominic Abbot was associated with the tradition to take on a symbolic Christian thaumaturgical value.
Today, the Festa dei Serpari is celebrated annually to honor St. Dominic and the tradition of the serpari. The inhabitants of the town and the men from the area bring domesticated snakes to pay homage to the saint and protect the community from the bite of venom. This festival is a major event that attracts visitors from all over the world.
Conclusion
In summary, Cocullo is a small Italian municipality full of natural and historical beauties. Its origins date back to Roman times, but its culture and tradition have been influenced by the Marsi and the Peligni.
The Festa dei Serpari is one of the biggest attractions in Cocullo. Celebrated annually, the event draws visitors from all over the world and allows them to discover the culture and history of this beautiful town.
If you want to visit a place where history and culture come together in a unique way, Cocullo is the perfect place for you. Come and discover this beautiful municipality in Abruzzo and let its beauty and history enchant you.
