Festa del Fuoco
In Grello the Night of Fire: tregge and burning incije around the castle, on the eve of San Giovanni
About Festa del Fuoco
Grello and the rite of fire
Grello is a small hamlet in the municipality of Gualdo Tadino, in the province of Perugia, at the foot of the Umbrian-Marche Apennines. Its Festa del Fuoco is rooted in a rite of probable pagan origins, linked to the summer solstice and the ancient rite of fire and water, later assimilated into Christian tradition and connected to the eve of San Giovanni Battista. Passed down orally, the celebration has been regularly revived since 1980.
The Night of Fire
The heart of the festival is the Notte del Fuoco, between June 23rd and 24th. The three districts of the village — San Giovanni, Sant'Angelo and San Donato — parade with torches and tregge, large wooden sleds loaded with incije (bundles of straw and wood) that are set alight. Each district fields six Fire Bearers for the ritual race: they run with burning torches around the old castle walls and drag the tregge through the village streets, in a competition between the districts that culminates in a pyromusical show.
Between faith and community
On the morning of June 24th, the festival continues with the Solemn Holy Mass and the procession in honor of San Giovanni Battista. The Festa del Fuoco of Grello is a rare example of a living folk tradition, capable of uniting historical memory, ritual, and the identity of an entire community.
Festa del Fuoco — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Festa del Fuoco is scheduled in Grello from June 19th to 24th, with the climax on the night between June 23rd and 24th, the eve of San Giovanni Battista. The three districts — San Giovanni, Sant'Angelo, and San Donato — bring the ritual race to life with torches and tregge loaded with burning incije around the ancient castle walls, in one of the most spectacular re-enactments of the Umbrian Apennines.
Programme Festa del Fuoco 2026
Night between June 23rd and 24th (climax of the festival)
- 8:30 PM — Parade of the Fire Bearers.
- 10:00 PM — Blessing of the incije, the guazza, and the panetti.
- 10:30 PM — Fire Race with incije and tregge around the castle walls; competition between the three districts.
- 11:30 PM — Pyromusical show.
June 24th
- 11:00 AM — Solemn Holy Mass and procession in honor of San Giovanni Battista.
On the evenings from June 19th to 24th, there will be food stalls and entertainment in the village. The full details are published by the Pro Grello organization.
Highlights Festa del Fuoco 2026
Prices Festa del Fuoco 2026
Practical information — Festa del Fuoco
How to get there
Grello is a hamlet of Gualdo Tadino (PG), reachable by car from the SS3 Flaminia following the signs for the hamlet. The festival takes place in the village and around the castle walls.
When
The climax is on the night between June 23rd and 24th, the eve of San Giovanni Battista.
Information
Pro Grello organization — [email protected], tel. 335 5499438 / 335 6203686.
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Where does it take place — Festa del Fuoco
Grello (frazione di Gualdo Tadino)