Feast of Saint Anthony Abbot

A folk tradition in the heart of the Peligna Valley

The Feast of Saint Anthony Abbot is one of the most deeply rooted events in the calendar of Pratola Peligna, a town in the province of L'Aquila, Abruzzo. Every year, on the night between January 16th and 17th, the community gathers to celebrate the hermit saint, protector of farmers, breeders, and both domestic and stable animals. The recurrence weaves together the sacred and the profane in a ritual that draws its roots from ancient agricultural customs and the cult of fire as a symbol of purification and rebirth.

The performance on the evening of January 16th

The heart of the festival is the evocative costumed performance that comes to life on the streets of the historic center on the evening of January 16th. Two members of the Confraternity of the Most Holy Trinity portray Saint Anthony—the hermit with a long beard, staff, and monastic habit—and the Devil, a provocative red figure. The scene, known in dialect as «Lu Santantonje», depicts the temptations and virtues of the Saint, following the legend that Saint Anthony descended into the depths of hell to free the souls of sinners from eternal fire.

The Itinerant Singers

The Compagnia dei Cantori Itineranti leads the festivities, bringing back to life legends, folk songs, and re-enactments that have united the Pratola community for generations. Groups of singers traverse the various districts of the town, welcomed by families and residents who look forward to this appointment every year as a moment of collective identity. The songs in dialect, accompanied by traditional music, recount the life, temptations, and miracles of the Saint, while the performance is rewarded, according to custom, with food and small offerings.

The blessing of the animals on January 17th

On January 17th, the day of the feast, the ancient custom of blessing the animals is renewed. After the religious service at the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, the statue of the saint is carried in procession to Piazza Garibaldi, in the town center, where the parish priest imparts a blessing to a colorful parade of domestic animals. A gesture that testifies to the deep bond between religious tradition and the rural culture of the Peligna Valley.

A heritage to be preserved

The Feast of Saint Anthony Abbot in Pratola Peligna represents a precious piece of Abruzzese folklore, guarded and handed down by the Confraternity of the Most Holy Trinity together with the town's singers. Through dialect songs, performances, and blessings, the recurrence continues to renew, from generation to generation, the community's bond with its roots.