Feast of Saint Anthony Abbot

A festival of fire in the heart of Marsica

The Feast of Saint Anthony Abbot is one of the most cherished winter events in Aielli, a small village in the Marsica region of the L'Aquila province, in the heart of Abruzzo. Every year, around January 17th, the community gathers around the figure of the hermit saint, protector of domestic animals and symbol of purification through fire, renewing rites that are deeply rooted in centuries of tradition.

The 'giro delle cuttore' and 'cicerocchi'

The identity-defining heart of the festival is the famous giro delle cuttore: large copper cauldrons are hung over hearths in homes and neighborhoods throughout the village, where cicerocchi—a traditional legume and cereal soup—are cooked for hours and offered to all visitors. It is a ritual of hospitality and community: people move from one 'cuttora' to the next, sharing hot food, singing, and praying before the saint's images decorated with oranges and branches.

• Bonfires: In the evening, large bonfires blessed by the parish priest are lit to illuminate the winter night.
• Blessing of the animals: On Sunday, horses, mules, oxen, and domestic pets are brought to the churchyard to receive a blessing, according to an ancient farming custom.
• Procession with the statue of Saint Anthony through the village streets.
• Fireworks to conclude the festivities.

Between Upper Aielli and Aielli Stazione

The festival involves both the historic center of Upper Aielli, perched on the Marsican plateau and known for the Borgo Universo murals, and the hamlet of Aielli Stazione in the valley. The first evening is usually held in Aielli Stazione, while the day of the 'giro delle cuttore' brings the alleys of the upper village to life. The local neighborhoods and families organize the individual 'cuttore' in a competition of generosity and devotion that keeps the community's identity alive.

The saint of fire and animals

As throughout inland Abruzzo, the feast of Saint Anthony Abbot marks the symbolic opening of the farming year. The saint, invoked as the protector of stables and animals, is celebrated with the purifying fire of bonfires and the sharing of food. In Aielli, this devotion intertwines with the history of the municipality and the landscape of the Marsica, offering visitors an authentic immersion into Abruzzese folk traditions, far from mass tourism circuits.