Ciuccio di Fuoco Festival

The Ciuccio di Fuoco ritual, a unique national treasure

In the historic center of Rotondi, a small town in the province of Avellino overlooking the Caudine Valley, the evening of December 26th is not just about St. Stephen’s Day—it is about setting a donkey on fire. A donkey-shaped frame, equipped with pyrotechnic devices, is paraded through the streets before being ignited in front of the crowd in a spectacular display of sparks that lights up the square. This is the Ciuccio di Fuoco, a propitiatory ritual of rural origin that organizers describe as a one-of-a-kind event in Italy for its historical significance and continuity.

From mountain fire-workers to a village celebration

The tradition is rooted in the trade of Rotondi’s fire-workers. According to local lore, the pyrotechnicians who lived on the mountain would transport fireworks to neighboring towns for festivals and holidays using donkeys—docile animals well-suited for mountain paths. Over the years, this work practice evolved into a collective ritual: the donkey, the fire-workers' daily companion, became the star of St. Stephen’s evening, when its effigy is set aflame. In some editions, the ritual has included the symbolic burning of the bell tower, a community emblem, while Piazza Vittorio Emanuele has remained the heart of the show.

From tradition to festival

While the ritual has been documented for decades, it was only in 2022 that the Pro Loco Rotondi La Lanterna launched the official Ciuccio di Fuoco Festival, expanding the December 26th evening into a multi-day event. The stated goal is twofold: to consolidate and promote the ancient pyrotechnic tradition while fostering the cultural, economic, and tourist development of the area by introducing visitors to local food and wine products.

Three days of taste and folklore

The festival calendar takes place in the days following Christmas, between December 26th and 28th, with a well-established format:

• The Ciuccio di Fuoco pyrotechnic show, the highlight of St. Stephen’s evening
• Food stalls featuring local specialties and traditional products from the Caudine Valley and Irpinia
• Live folk music, with Campanian folk groups enlivening the evenings
• Christmas entertainment and shows designed for children and families
• Strolls through the historic center, beautifully illuminated for the holiday season

Rotondi and the Caudine Valley

Rotondi is located at the western edge of the province of Avellino, in Campania, on the border with the Benevento and Nola areas, in the Caudine Valley—named after the famous Caudine Forks. It is a land of villages nestled at the foot of the Partenio mountains, where year-end celebrations carry deep identity significance: the Ciuccio di Fuoco is part of the Illumina la notte Christmas circuit, which lights up the valley’s villages with illuminations, bonfires, and concerts during the holidays.

Why it’s worth the trip

Those arriving in Rotondi on December 26th are not just watching a simple fireworks display. The burning donkey is a sign that the community renews every year, with the same anticipation in the square and the same roar when the first Catherine wheels ignite. All around, the air smells of street food, and the notes of the tammurriata accompany the evening. For a visitor wanting to experience Christmas in the Campanian hinterland, away from the beaten path, it is an unparalleled occasion—and it’s free to attend.