About Abruzzo

Tagged: Ju Catenacce

bride and groom, Ju Catenacce

Festa!

Ju Catenacce

Wedding Bells in Scanno Something is in the air in Scanno.  Maybe not love exactly, but certainly a frisson of excitement.  And is that wedding bells I hear? Ju Catenacce is about to begin. It’s the eve of Ferragosto. The terrace of the Caffè Santa Maria in Piazza San Rocco is filling up. The square is confined on one side by a church, and people are bagging places with a good view of the chapel door. Across the square, at the open end of the terrace, narrow streets meander up and away towards the centre of town, and people are lining up there too. At last, down the road...

Scanno with snow 1

Mountains / Province of L'Aquila

Scanno

We weren’t intending to stop for refreshments but as soon as we arrive in Scanno we spot a tree-shaded terrace and tables spread with pretty cotton cloths.  Irresistible. We take our seats. The cake Out comes the waitress to take our order. Seeing me dither, she suggests I try the local speciality, Pan dell’Orso. Bear bread.  Given the name, I could be forgiven for expecting something more substantial than the small domed bun which, disappointingly, arrives wrapped in cellophane. The wrapper describes it as a light fluffy cake of almonds and honey covered in the finest chocolate.  This is confirmed in a couple of bites. And then it’s gone. Transumanza I...