Learn Italian in Abruzzo: A Summer of Language, Culture, and Authentic Experiences 

Would you like to learn Italian while immersing yourself in centuries-old traditions? Discover Madrelingua’s residential courses in Ofena, a historic village in Abruzzo! This year, our courses are inspired by the ancient tradition of transhumance—the seasonal migration of sheep between the mountains of Abruzzo and the plains of Puglia. Recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, this practice offers a unique window into Italy’s rich cultural tapestry.

Living and learning with your instructor and native speakers provides an unparalleled opportunity to immerse yourself in the language. In this natural setting, you’ll not only practice during classes but also in daily interactions, accelerating your fluency and cultural understanding. The supportive and informal atmosphere fosters genuine connections, making learning fun and effective. Our palazzo is large enough to offer privacy, while the common rooms are the place to read, meet, play a game, or have coffee or aperitivo together.

What to Expect:

🌸 April -Easter traditions and Almond Blossoming Valleys (April 15–21, 2025)
Begin your journey in spring with a week dedicated to Easter traditions and local culture. Visit Sulmona, the city of Ovid and its famed sugared almonds (confetti), and marvel at valleys blooming with almond trees. (See Historic Festivals and Traditions below)

🎶 July & August – Festivals and Vibrant Events (dates available on request)
During summer, enjoy the many culinary and cultural festivals in Abruzzo’s towns and villages. Though announced only a week in advance, these events promise authentic experiences of local food, music, and traditions. Your teacher will help you navigate programs and visits. (See Historic Festivals and Traditions below)

🎶 Late August – The Perdonanza Celestiniana (August 23–28, 2025)
Dive into history with the Perdonanza Celestiniana, a centuries-old spiritual festival held in L’Aquila. This annual mini-jubilee blends religious devotion with artistic and cultural celebrations. (See Historic Festivals and Traditions below)

🍷 September – Wine Culture and Grape Harvest (September 23–28, 2025)
September brings a focus on wine. Visit vineyards during the grape harvest, and learn to appreciate wine like a connoisseur with Barbara, your sommelier-instructor.

🌿 October & November – Olive Harvest and Olive Oil Production (September 30–October 5, 2025)
Fall is olive harvest season in Abruzzo! Spend a day picking olives, enjoy a picnic among the trees, and visit a frantoio (olive press) to witness the making of extra virgin olive oil.

Your Teachers:

  • Barbara, founder of the Madrelingua language school in Amsterdam (NL), is a certified sommelier and former food columnist for the Dutch Italie Magazine. A native Italian speaker fluent in Dutch, English, and Polish, she also knows the region intimately. She leads all food and wine activities.
  • Fausto, a renowned artist, complements Italian lessons with guided landscape drawing walks. In summer 2025, Fausto will lead a community project decorating wooden nativity figures in the nearby village of Carrufo.
  • Cinzia worked at the university of Florence as a geologist before moving to the Netherlands, where she gives lessons of Italian at, a.o. the Volksuniversiteit. She knows all the mountains, canyons and paths of the region and is passionate about Italian movies and literature.

For Travel Companions:

Not learning Italian? There’s plenty for you, too: from scenic walks along local trails to art lessons and cultural excursions. Companions are welcome to join a group outing with instructors (own transport required).

Practical Details:

  • Course Duration: 6 days, including 5 days of Italian lessons (2 hours daily) and 1 day of cultural activities or excursions and a cooking lesson with lunch
  • Accommodation: 6 nights in a historic palazzo with shared kitchen and library access
  • Companions: Those not taking courses but sharing a room with students pay a cost refund of €30/night (in double or triple rooms)

Pricing:

  • Single Student Package (course, accommodation, activities): €670
  • Two-Person Package (1 student + 1 companion): €850
  • Two Students Sharing a Room: €1100 (€550 per person)

Included:

  • 10 hours of Italian lessons
  • Accommodation in a historic palazzo
  • A cooking workshop and lunch with Nonna Beatrice
  • A wine tasting and vineyard tour

Optional Extras:

  • Excursions to L’Aquila, Sulmona, and local festivals
  • Canoeing on the Tirino River
  • E-bike tours with guides
  • Hiking with English-speaking guides in Gran Sasso National Park
  • Olive harvesting days with a picnic and olive press tour

Historic Festivals and Traditions:

  • Holy Week processions: Throughout the region, solemn processions mark Holy Week, leading up to Easter Sunday. Participants often dress in traditional robes and hoods, carrying statues of the Virgin Mary and Christ through the streets. The atmosphere is deeply reflective and spiritual.
  • Sulmona’s Procession of the Dead Christ: On Good Friday, Sulmona hosts a moving nighttime procession with dramatic lighting, somber chants, and a statue of the Dead Christ, accompanied by the Virgin of Sorrows. This event draws locals and visitors alike.
  • “La madonna che scappa”: On Easter Sunday, Sulmona celebrates La Madonna che Scappa (“The Running Madonna”). This event symbolizes Mary learning of Christ’s resurrection.
  • Festa dei Serpari (Festival of the Snakes) – Cocullo: on the first Thursday in May this fascinating festival honors San Domenico, the patron saint of Cocullo, who is believed to protect against snake bites and toothaches. A statue of the saint is adorned with live, non venomous snakes and carried in a procession through the village.The festival is thought to blend Christian traditions with ancient pagan rites honoring serpents as symbols of fertility and renewal.
  • Giostra Cavalleresca di Sulmona: Held on the last weekend in July and in August is a medieval jousting tournament held in Sulmona’s central square, where knights representing different city districts compete. The event includes parades in elaborate Renaissance costumes, music, and traditional dances.A lively “Borgo Tournament” follows in August, featuring participants from nearby villages.
  • Certame di Popoli: A reenactment of medieval military traditions.
  • Festa del Perdono (Perdonanza Celestiniana) – L’Aquila: held the last week of August his UNESCO-listed festival celebrates the indulgence granted by Pope Celestine V in 1294. Highlights include the opening of the Holy Door at the Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio, processions, concerts, and cultural events.The festival combines spiritual devotion with artistic performances, drawing visitors from across the world.
  • Mastrogiurato di Lanciano: in early September the Mastrogiurato commemorates the medieval figure responsible for overseeing the city’s markets and fairs. A grand historical procession features costumes, flag bearers, and knights, with medieval-themed markets and performances.
  • Corsa degli Zingari (Race of the Gypsies) – Pacentro: on the First Sunday in September this daring race involves participants running barefoot down a steep and rocky hill to a sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The event is accompanied by feasts and celebrations in the town’s medieval streets.

Why Ofena?

Ofena, a pre-Roman village nestled between L’Aquila, Sulmona and Pescara, becomes your language haven. The friendly locals are happy to help you with your Italian, whether you’re chatting in the square or enjoying an espresso at the bar. In its alleys, small squares, and surrounding countryside, you’ll discover traces of the region’s rich history.

Known as “the oven of Abruzzo” due to its warm and sunny microclimate, Ofena has been renowned for centuries in the province of L’Aquila for the exceptional quality of its wines, olive oil, and almonds. These cherished crops have shaped not only the local economy but also the landscape, with vineyards, silvery terraced olive groves, and almond trees creating a stunning harmony of nature and human activity. This agricultural tradition is closely intertwined with the ancient practice of transhumance, a sustainable and ingenious way of managing the region’s challenging mountain and upland terrain. Together, these traditions reflect a profound balance between humanity and nature, showcasing the resilience and creativity of Abruzzo’s rural communities.

From Ofena, you can easily visit iconic destinations such as Rocca Calascio, Santo Stefano di Sessanio, the Stiffe Caves, and the Popoli thermal baths, along with the larger cities of Abruzzo and the Adriatic coast.

Come and experience a season filled with Italian language, culture, and adventure!
For more information and bookings, get in touch with us.

+39 375 5262038 or +31 6 47 254 144

info@madrelingua.com

Abruzzo is waiting for you! 🌿