El Foc de San Pero

El Foc de San Pero: a fire that keeps the Mòcheni community alive

El Foc de San Pero is the traditional bonfire lit in Sant'Orsola Terme, a town in the Mòcheni Valley in the province of Trento, in Trentino-Alto Adige. The event revives an ancient farming and devotional custom linked to the feast of St. Peter, which falls on June 29, and is held every summer at Piani di Mala, above the village of Mala.

The origins of the tradition

The roots of this fire are lost in time and have no single explanation. According to tradition, the bonfire was a sign of devotion to St. Peter: it served to ward off evil spirits, exorcise summer lightning, and protect the community from danger. Another interpretation links it to the agricultural cycle, when stubble was burned after clearing the fields. As the president of the Pro Loco, Stefano Pintarelli, recounts, the elders remembered that «in the old days, a fire was lit in every farmstead, in every house». The valley, populated in the Middle Ages by German-speaking miners and farmers, also features intertwined cultural influences that make the Mòcheni Valley a unique linguistic and identity island in the Alpine landscape.

The route and the location

The evening combines two places dear to the community. The meeting point includes a stop at Cros de Mala, a ridge that offers a spectacular view of the Valsugana and Lake Caldonazzo, where an aperitif is shared. From here, participants walk to Piani di Mala, where the great bonfire comes to life at dusk under the supervision of the local Fire Brigade. Families, children, and curious visitors gather around the flames in a simple and genuine festive atmosphere.

Who organizes it

The event is promoted by the Pro Loco of Sant'Orsola Terme in collaboration with ASUC Mala and the local Fire Brigade. The collaboration with ASUC Mala also has a practical value: the material for the bonfire often comes from clearing the woods and paths, contributing to the care of the territory.

A community gathering

As the Pro Loco likes to repeat, El Foc de San Pero «is not just a simple bonfire, it is much, much more»: it is an opportunity to bring the community of Sant'Orsola Terme together, spend time together, and pass on a shared memory. The small flames of the farmsteads of the past become one great fire today that lights up the valley's summer. Admission is free and the event is suitable for all ages.