Festival of Saint Anthony Abbot

A Five-Century Tradition

In Almenno San Bartolomeo, at the gateway to the Valle Imagna in the province of Bergamo, the Festival of Saint Anthony Abbot is one of the most deeply rooted events: its origin dates back to at least the 16th century. Saint Anthony Abbot, the father of monasticism who became the patron saint of animals, is at the center of a rite that unites faith and the rural world.

The Bonfire, the Blessing, and the Procession

The heart of the festival, on January 17th, is the large bonfire lit in the square, a purifying symbol of tradition. On the parvis of the parish church, the blessing of animals takes place, while a procession with floats parades through the streets of the center, in an atmosphere of popular celebration that brings the entire community together.

Flavors of Bergamasca

Along the streets of the historic center, food stalls offer the signature dishes of Bergamascan cuisine: casoncelli, polenta e osei, and mulled wine to warm up on cold January days. The festival has free admission.

Folklore to Experience

For those visiting the province of Bergamo in winter, the Festival of Saint Anthony Abbot in Almenno San Bartolomeo is a precious opportunity to immerse oneself in an authentic tradition, where the sacred and the popular coexist in a rite that has been renewed for centuries.