Festival of Saint Anthony Abbot and Blessing of the Tractors
The blessing of tractors in the heart of the Larian winter
About Festival of Saint Anthony Abbot
The farmers' saint
The Festival of Saint Anthony Abbot in Barni, in the Larian Triangle in the province of Como, celebrates the patron saint of animals, breeders, and farmers. The liturgical feast day falls on January 17th, and the festival is traditionally held on the closest Sunday to encourage community participation.
Blessing of salt and tractors
The central moment is the Holy Mass with the blessing of salt, followed by the blessing of tractors and agricultural machinery, with the presentation of blessed gifts to the drivers. A ritual that links the religious dimension to the world of work in the fields and mountain farming, still alive in the villages of Lake Como.
The basket auction and village festival
On the churchyard, the traditional auction of Saint Anthony's baskets is held, with products donated by the community – vegetables, cakes, plants, wines, cured meats – the proceeds of which support the parish. Between the distribution of blessed salt and convivial moments, the festival is an opportunity for the inhabitants of Barni and neighboring villages to meet, organized by the parish with the volunteers of the village.
Festival of Saint Anthony Abbot — edition 2026
The Festival of Saint Anthony Abbot 2026
The 11th Blessing of Tractors, as part of the Festival of Saint Anthony Abbot, will be held in Barni on Sunday, January 18, 2026, on the Sunday following the January 17th anniversary.
At 10:00 AM, Holy Mass in the church with the blessing of salt; after the service, on the churchyard, the traditional auction of Saint Anthony's baskets with products donated by the community, the proceeds of which support the parish. At 11:00 AM, the blessing of tractors and the presentation of blessed gifts to the drivers. The organization is handled by the parish with the village volunteers.
Programme Festival of Saint Anthony Abbot 2026
Sunday, January 18
- 10:00 AM - Holy Mass with blessing of salt
- After Mass - Auction of Saint Anthony's baskets on the churchyard
- 11:00 AM - Blessing of tractors and presentation of blessed gifts to drivers
Lunch options are available at local venues.
Highlights Festival of Saint Anthony Abbot 2026
Prices Festival of Saint Anthony Abbot 2026
Practical information — Festival of Saint Anthony Abbot
How to get there
Barni is located on the SP41 of the Larian Triangle, between Asso and the Sormano pass; reachable by car from Como and Lecco.
Costs
The celebrations are free to enter; lunch options are available at local venues, with indicative prices between 7 and 35 euros.
Info
Program organized by the parish of Barni; updates on the CulturaBarni website.
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Where does it take place — Festival of Saint Anthony Abbot
Chiesa parrocchiale e sagrato di Barni
Barni, 22030 Barni