Brucia Re Carnevale

The burning of King Carnival in Pieve Fosciana

In the heart of the Garfagnana region, the small town of Pieve Fosciana (province of Lucca, Tuscany) preserves one of the most evocative traditions of the local Carnival calendar: the Brucia Re Carnevale. Every year, on Shrove Tuesday evening, the community gathers to set fire to the puppet representing the King of Carnival, symbolically marking the end of the festivities and the beginning of Lent.

A centuries-old tradition

The custom is documented in the parish archives of Pieve Fosciana, and its origins are lost in time. The ritual blends an ancient pagan symbol—the bonfire that closes the Carnival period—with Christian religious traditions, in a tapestry that has accompanied the transition into the penitential season for centuries. The bonfire is more than just a spectacle: it is a collective act that strengthens the identity of this Garfagnana village and passes down the meaning of the agricultural and liturgical calendar from generation to generation.

The parade and the puppet

The King Carnival puppet is creatively crafted by local volunteers alongside kindergarten children, who help build and decorate the large figure. On Shrove Tuesday evening, the puppet is carried in a procession through the village streets, followed by many residents, many in costume, and especially many young people, in a festive atmosphere that involves the entire community.

The bonfire in front of the church

The parade concludes on the parvis of the Church of San Giovanni Battista, in the square in front of the parish church. Here, the fire is lit, quickly enveloping and consuming the puppet, while the church's great bell tolls from the bell tower: it is the signal that Carnival is over and Lent has begun. The moment of the burning, amidst the crackling of the flames and the solemn tolling, is the emotional heart of the entire event.

Who organizes it

The event is the result of collaboration between the parish community, the Sant'Anna Committee, the Pievania of San Giovanni Battista, the municipal administration of Pieve Fosciana, and local schools, which ensure the continuity of this popular tradition every year. The Brucia Re Carnevale is thus an occasion for celebration and gathering for the whole town, capable of attracting visitors curious to discover the most authentic traditions of the Garfagnana.