Feast of Saint Anthony Abbot - Blessing of the Animals

Saint Anthony Abbot, protector of animals

The Feast of Saint Anthony Abbot in Porto Mantovano, a municipality in the first belt of Mantua, is linked to one of the most deeply rooted traditions of the Italian rural world. Saint Anthony Abbot, celebrated on January 17th, is the protector of animals and the farming world, and his feast marks a moment of blessing and good wishes for the year ahead in the agricultural calendar.

The blessing of animals

The heart of the celebration is the blessing of domestic animals, which takes place at the farmers' market in Piazza della Resistenza. Citizens and families bring their animals to receive the blessing, in a rite that preserves its meaning of protection and connection to the land intact. Alongside the blessing, the wooden statue of Saint Anthony is displayed, and holy cards and information about the saint are distributed.

Flavors of tradition

The feast is also a moment of conviviality, with the tasting of traditional sweets related to the occasion. All this takes place within the framework of the farmers' market, where the products of the Mantuan land are the protagonists, reinforcing the link between the religious festival and the agricultural identity of the territory.

A tradition promoted by the territory

The event is coordinated by the Consorzio Agrituristico Mantovano, which promotes the celebrations of Saint Anthony Abbot in various farmers' markets in the province. In Porto Mantovano, the blessing of animals is a heartfelt moment that brings the community together at the beginning of the year, rediscovering the rural roots of a territory, that of Mantua, deeply linked to agriculture.