Celebration of Saint Anthony the Abbot

A rural tradition in the heart of Abruzzo

Every year, around mid-January, the village of Castel di Ieri, in the municipality of the same name in the province of L'Aquila, celebrates Saint Anthony the Abbot, the patron saint of animals and fire. The festival takes place at the parish church and is organized by the Pro Loco "La Torre", the association that has for years preserved and promoted the popular traditions of this small town nestled in the Subequana Valley, within the Sirente-Velino Regional Natural Park.

The rite of the blessing

The central moment of the celebration is the blessing of fire and animals, an ancient rite rooted in Abruzzo's rural culture. Saint Anthony the Abbot is indeed venerated as the patron of domestic and working animals, and his figure is linked to the symbol of fire: on the night between January 16th and 17th, in many communities in Central Italy, propitiatory bonfires are lit. In Castel di Ieri, the faithful gather in the parish church, where the priest imparts the blessing, calling together the inhabitants of the village and the surrounding countryside.

The "Bussata di Sant'Antonio"

Among the most characteristic customs of Castel di Ieri is the "Bussata di Sant'Antonio", a song in dialect passed down from generation to generation. It is a song intended for the town's inhabitants, in which a verse is adapted for each family: an oral heritage that testifies to the close bond between the community and its festival, making the celebration unique compared to similar rites widespread throughout Abruzzo.

The convivial moment

At the end of the religious service, the festival continues with a moment of sharing: the Pro Loco offers sausages, ranati, and mulled wine, in keeping with the tradition of Abruzzo's winter festivals. It is an opportunity to gather around the fire, warm up on cold January evenings, and strengthen the bonds of a small community proud of its roots.

Castel di Ieri and its village

The celebration is also an opportunity to discover one of the best-preserved villages in the province of L'Aquila. Castel di Ieri boasts a 12th-century Norman tower, nearly twenty meters high, and an important Italic temple from the Roman era, unearthed in 1987. Immersed in the greenery of the Sirente-Velino Park, the town offers visitors an authentic atmosphere, where religious and popular traditions continue to mark the rhythm of the seasons.