Festival of Our Lady of Fire in Glorie

A Village Festival in the Heart of Bassa Romagna

In the hamlet of Glorie, along the Via Reale that crosses the countryside of the Municipality of Bagnacavallo, in the province of Ravenna, the Festival of Our Lady of Fire is much more than a religious observance: it is the moment when the entire community gathers around its Church of San Francesco d'Assisi and the historic Villa Savoia. Organized by the parish together with the Zone Council, the festival combines popular devotion, cultural initiatives, and that straightforward conviviality which is the most recognizable trait of Romagna.

Devotion to Our Lady of Fire

The festival has its roots in an ancient and widespread devotion throughout Romagna. The image of Our Lady of Fire is linked to the famous miracle in Forlì in 1428: during a fire that destroyed a school, a woodcut depicting the Virgin surrounded by Saints remained intact, neither burning nor blackening. Since then, Our Lady of Fire has been venerated as a protector, and her devotion has spread to neighboring towns, reaching small hamlets like Glorie, which have made it their patronal feast. The central date remains the traditional one of February 4th.

Between Church and Villa Savoia

The program unfolds over several days, intertwining liturgical moments with festive ones. Alongside masses and the recitation of the rosary, there is the traditional blessing of agricultural vehicles, a tangible sign of the bond between the community of Glorie and its rural territory. On the evening of February 4th, in front of Villa Savoia, fires, braziers, and grills are lit, while traditional Romagna music and dancing liven up the village until late at night.

Culture, Conviviality, and Community

Over the years, the festival has been enriched with events designed to involve everyone: gastronomic dinners with wine tastings from local wineries, book presentations at the civic center, the classic Briscola del cappelletto card tournament, and the grand community lunch that concludes the celebrations, prepared by parish volunteers. It is a calendar designed for citizens of all ages, from catechism children to the village elders.

Why it's Worth Participating

• An authentic patronal feast, far from the major tourist circuits
• The evocative evening of fires in front of Villa Savoia
• The Romagna cuisine prepared by volunteers and local wine tastings
• An opportunity to discover Bassa Romagna and its traditions