Cavallo di Fuoco

The oldest fire show in Italy

In the heart of the medieval village of Ripatransone, in the province of Ascoli Piceno, one of the most fascinating and ancient events in the Marche region takes place every year: the Cavallo di Fuoco. It is a unique fireworks show in Italy, in which a horse-shaped effigy covered in fireworks comes to life along the streets of the historic center, amidst bangs, luminous trails, and "human-height fireworks" that envelop the crowd in an atmosphere of pure wonder.

A tradition born in 1682

The history of the Cavallo di Fuoco dates back to May 1682, when a pyrotechnician from Atri repeatedly crossed the town square on horseback, releasing fireworks in all directions to honor the Madonna di San Giovanni. From that gesture, a custom was born that has been renewed uninterruptedly for over three centuries, passed down from generation to generation and today recognized as Heritage of Italy for Tradition by the Ministry (2011). In 2026, the event took on an even more symbolic value, coinciding with the Year of the Fire Horse in the Chinese calendar, a correspondence that occurs only every sixty years.

Religious significance

The Cavallo di Fuoco is celebrated on the Sunday of the Octave of Easter, a special liturgical moment when the Easter celebration does not end but changes form. Fire thus becomes a symbol of energy, transformation, and rebirth, prolonging the joy of the Resurrection and renewing a deep bond between the Ripani community and its Marian devotion.

How the evening unfolds

The magic begins around 9:00 PM with the preparation of the Horse. The structure is then escorted in a procession along Corso Vittorio Emanuele II by the Ripatransone Town Band, which plays the famous "Marcia 23", the official anthem of the event. After a few reconnaissance laps, the actual fireworks display begins, lasting about half an hour, alternating aerial effects with ground-level fireworks close to the crowd.

A village to experience

Known as the "smallest city in Italy" due to its historical title, Ripatransone offers visitors charming alleys, views of the Piceno valley, and a remarkable artistic heritage. Every year, collateral events – the Giornate di F(u)ocus – are organized around the Cavallo di Fuoco, blending culture, historical memory, and photography, transforming the entire weekend into an opportunity to discover the charm of this corner of the Marche.