Parade zmeelovov

Every year on the first Thursday in May in the Italian town Cocullo (Cocullo), located on the hills of Abruzzo, an unusual procession is held, dedicated to the patron of the city - St. Dominic ...

Residents of the city are decorated with an image of the Holy live snakes ...
11 ph zmmee process





This year the procession passed zmeelovov May 1st.



It is believed that Saint Dominic protects residents Cocullo snake bites and toothache ...



Around noon, a statue of St. Dominic is taken out of the church and an exhibition on the area where zmeelovy throw her snakes and other reptiles ...



If snakes entwine head of the statue, it is considered a good sign ...



The coated snake statue through the streets ...



Every self-respecting resident of the city is also seeking to walk in the day in the company of snakes ...



Snakes roam the streets, even babies ...



Believers are convinced that the snake does not cause them no harm ...



The procession is headed by zmeelovy and priests, as well as local girls who treated everyone pretzels ciambelli, made specially for this festival ...



Up until 1940, the snakes were burned, and now they just released into the wild outside of the city.



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