Snakes evoke an almost universal awe—a mix of mesmerizing enchantment, visceral repulsion, and morbid fascination. Throughout the millennia cultures have attributed supernatural properties to serpents and devised complex ophidian cults to honor them. There was a time when snake rituals were common across Europe, but now they have mostly disappeared—except once a year in a small town in central Italy. Every May 1st, crowds gather in Cocullo to celebrate the town’s patron saint, San Domenico Abate, a wandering Benedictine monk who traveled across Italy during the 10th century establishing monasteries. As in many other Catholic festivities, a statue of the saint is carried around the town in procession; in Cocullo, though, the statue is fully covered with living snakes.

Preparations for the festivities begin by the end of March, when the snow starts to melt and the serpari—individuals descended from the medieval wanderers and snake-charming ciaralli—go to Mount Catini to catch non-venomous snakes. (They avoid the poisonous vipers that live in the region.) After trapping the wriggling reptiles, they keep them in wooden boxes for about a month, feeding them boiled eggs and living mice.* On the morning of the first day of May, the faithful gather in San Domenico’s chapel and pull the chapel’s bell with their teeth; San Domenico protects against snake bites and rabies, but also against toothaches, and it is believed that the tradition will keep the faithful’s teeth in good health. The serpari wait in the town’s main square where they proudly exhibit the snakes they have captured. Then four porters carry the saint’s statue out of the church, and the living snakes are placed on it. It is considered an omen of good luck for the following year if the snakes curl up around the saint’s head, and of bad luck if the snakes fall off. The mesmerized crowd clamors to touch the statue as the procession goes around the town. At the end of the day, the snakes are released back into nature.

In the 10th century, San Domenico Abate lived around Cocullo for seven years, and the faithful believe that he has protected the population from the bites of venomous snakes and other wild animals.
In the 10th century, San Domenico Abate lived around Cocullo for seven years, and the faithful believe that he has protected the population from the bites of venomous snakes and other wild animals. Antonio Masiello/Getty Images

The origins of this springtime ritual are shrouded in mystery. Some historians have connected it with the cult of Hercules, who strangled two snakes in his cradle; others with the pagan cult of the goddess Angizia, a divinity that the ancient Marsi people worshiped as a protector against snake poison. But Lia Giancristofaro, an anthropologist from Università degli Studi Chieti e Pescara who has studied the festivities in Cocullo, rejects these theories as too far removed from the present day. Even if it is likely that in the remote past there was a general ophidian cult on the Mediterranean, she claims that it is impossible to determine if the festivities in Cocullo are a vestige of that, so she proposes a more recent origin for the festival.

“The ciaralli connected with the cult of San Domenico Abate are a product of Christianity,” she explains. This phenomenon “was born during the Middle Ages and is related to the practice of healers in the name of Saint Paul.” The legend tells that Saint Paul survived a snake bite in Malta and created this group of followers who traveled from town to town performing exorcisms and healing people by the saint’s intercession. On May 1st in Cocullo, “contact with the harmless snake enacts a sort of liberation from anguish, because it occurs under the protective shield of San Domenico Abate,” Giancristofaro says. Overcoming the natural fear of touching snakes symbolizes mastering the fear of the natural and supernatural world, of mastering the terror of life’s uncertainties themselves.

About 200 people live in Cocullo, but every year about 10,000 pilgrims and tourists flock to the small hamlet to attend this event.
About 200 people live in Cocullo, but every year about 10,000 pilgrims and tourists flock to the small hamlet to attend this event. Antonio Masiello/Getty Images

In the Christian tradition, the serpent is the symbol of evil. On May 1st in Cocullo, the traditional enemy becomes docile and harmless. This cathartic ritual symbolizes mastering the fear of the natural and supernatural world.
In the Christian tradition, the serpent is the symbol of evil. On May 1st in Cocullo, the traditional enemy becomes docile and harmless. This cathartic ritual symbolizes mastering the fear of the natural and supernatural world. Antonio Masiello/Getty Images

People start to gather in the town's main square early in the morning to admire the serpents captured by the <em>serpari</em> . There are four types of non-venomous snakes on display—four-lined, Aesculapian, grass, and green whip snakes—ranging in length from ranging from about 4 feet to almost 6 feet.
People start to gather in the town’s main square early in the morning to admire the serpents captured by the serpari . There are four types of non-venomous snakes on display—four-lined, Aesculapian, grass, and green whip snakes—ranging in length from ranging from about 4 feet to almost 6 feet. Antonio Masiello/Getty Images

The origin of the event is unknown. Some historians believe it can be traced back to the cult of pagan goddess Angizia, worshiped by the Marsi population in this region about 2,000 years ago. Others connect it with the tradition of the <em>ciaralli</em>, wandering snake charmers of the medieval era.
The origin of the event is unknown. Some historians believe it can be traced back to the cult of pagan goddess Angizia, worshiped by the Marsi population in this region about 2,000 years ago. Others connect it with the tradition of the ciaralli, wandering snake charmers of the medieval era. VINCENZO PINTO/AFP via Getty Images

In the past, the faithful from the surrounding towns would undertake a three-day pilgrimage to Cocullo. Among them there were the <em>zampognari</em>, traditional musicians who played the <em>zampogna</em>, a sort of bagpipe.
In the past, the faithful from the surrounding towns would undertake a three-day pilgrimage to Cocullo. Among them there were the zampognari, traditional musicians who played the zampogna, a sort of bagpipe. VINCENZO PINTO/AFP via Getty Images

If the snakes wrap themselves around the statue’s head during the procession, it is considered an omen of good luck for the following year. If they slither off toward the arms or fall off of the statue, it is a bad sign.
If the snakes wrap themselves around the statue’s head during the procession, it is considered an omen of good luck for the following year. If they slither off toward the arms or fall off of the statue, it is a bad sign. Antonio Masiello/Getty Images

Once the snakes were cooked and eaten after the event. Today, with more than 50 percent of Italian snakes deemed seriously threatened, the captured reptiles are released back into the forest.
Once the snakes were cooked and eaten after the event. Today, with more than 50 percent of Italian snakes deemed seriously threatened, the captured reptiles are released back into the forest. Giulio Ercolani/Alamy

*Correction: A previous version of this story said that the snakes’ teeth are removed before the festivities. Although that was true in the past, it no longer happens.