The pilgrimage to the Madonna del Gran Sasso, along with its associated festival, takes place in the summer on the first Sunday of August. On this occasion, entire families from nearby villages, particularly Pietracamela and Intermesoli, journey to the niche in Arapietra, where the statue of the “Madonnina” has been kept since 1935 at an altitude of 2,005 meters. Following the celebration of Mass, presided over by the bishop and the parish priest of Pietracamela, a solemn blessing is bestowed upon the participants, after which they engage in a convivial moment, sharing food and drinks. Before the construction of the ski lifts in the 1950s, women carried provisions and food in large baskets balanced on their heads, making the long ascent on foot along the mountain trails.