Fire Festival and Donkey Race at Capezza in Sulmona

The Fire Festival, opening the Giostra season

The Fire Festival is the event that, every spring, officially kicks off the calendar for the Giostra Cavalleresca of Sulmona, the grand historical re-enactment that brings the town of Sulmona to life in the heart of the Peligna Valley, in the province of L'Aquila (Abruzzo). Hosted in Piazza Garibaldi, one of the city's most scenic squares, the event attracts a large and festive crowd every year, symbolically igniting the journey that will lead the seven Sestieri and two Borghi to the summer jousting challenge.

Two days of popular tradition

The program spans two days. The afternoon is dedicated to folk games, lighthearted competitions involving both young and old in a spirit of healthy rivalry, while in the evening, the square comes alive with food stalls and live music. The festival blends the convivial Abruzzese spirit with the charm of ancient traditions, in an atmosphere that fuses history, folklore, and entertainment.

The Donkey Race at Capezza

The most distinctive and highly anticipated moment is the Donkey Race at Capezza, also known as the Donkey Palio: a unique race where the animals are led by hand around the square. The race takes place in several heats, with men and women participating by guiding the donkeys through the final laps, amidst laughter and cheers from the crowd. It is one of the festival's most cherished traditions, capturing the genuine and popular soul of the event.

The lighting of the bonfires

Closing the celebrations is the lighting of the bonfires, the symbolic heart of the entire event: a evocative ritual that recalls ancient propitiatory customs linked to the cycle of the seasons and renewal. The flames illuminate the evening in Piazza Garibaldi, accompanied by music and the festive atmosphere that defines the event.

Sulmona and the Giostra Cavalleresca

Sulmona, the birthplace of the Latin poet Ovid and world-famous for its sugared almonds (confetti), preserves one of Abruzzo's most prestigious historical re-enactments in the Giostra Cavalleresca. The Fire Festival represents the first stage of a long journey that culminates in July with the knights' challenge in Piazza Maggiore. Participating in this event means immersing yourself in the most authentic identity of the town of Sulmona and experiencing the anticipation that accompanies one of the Abruzzo region's signature events.