Fire of Saint Anthony (Feast of Saint Anthony the Abbot)

A fire festival in the heart of the Tuscia

In Piansano, an agricultural village of just over two thousand inhabitants in the province of Viterbo, northern Lazio, January 17th is no ordinary date. It is the day of Saint Anthony the Abbot, protector of animals and patron saint of farmers. For generations, the community has gathered around the Fire of Saint Anthony: a great bonfire lit in Piazza del Mercato that burns late into the night, illuminating the town center in the depths of the Maremma-Viterbo winter.

The festival is part of a tradition widespread throughout the Tuscia, where dozens of villages light their fires between January 16th and 17th. In Piansano, however, the occasion retains a particularly intimate and participatory character: it is not a show for tourists, but a day the village builds itself, with class committees, the Pro Loco, the Parish of San Bernardino da Siena, and the Municipality sharing the tasks.

The bonfire in Piazza del Mercato

The highlight is the lighting of the bonfire, which for the 2026 edition was set for 6:00 PM in Piazza del Mercato. The woodpile, prepared in the preceding days, is set ablaze before the entire village: around the flames, sausage sandwiches cooked on the grill, mulled wine, and sweets are served, while live music accompanies the evening. It is a simple, ancient ritual that combines the purifying function of fire with the conviviality of a winter evening spent outdoors.

The blessing of the animals and the Saint Anthony float

The religious and rural components remain central. The traditional program in Piansano includes Holy Masses at the Church of the Madonna del Suffragio, a gathering of horsemen with breakfast offered to all, and above all, the blessing of the animals which takes place right in Piazza del Mercato. After the blessing, animals, tractors, and horses parade through the village streets accompanying the Saint Anthony float, with the distribution of gifts to children.

• Masses in honor of Saint Anthony the Abbot at the Church of the Madonna del Suffragio
• Gathering of horsemen and breakfast for all participants
• Blessing of the animals in Piazza del Mercato
• Parade of the Saint Anthony float through the village streets, with gifts for children
• Distribution of sausages to school children
• Saint Anthony's lunch in the parish hall under the church
• Evening bonfire lighting in Piazza del Mercato

Saint Anthony's lunch

At noon, the festivities move indoors to the parish hall for Saint Anthony's lunch: a menu of rustic Tuscia cuisine, featuring peasant soup, polenta with pork cracklings, beans with sausages, and hot chocolate with cookies. Seats are limited and reservations are made through the organizing committee or the Pro Loco, as attendance is always high.

Why it's worth visiting

Those who arrive in Piansano on January 17th will not find a staged event, but a community repeating a gesture passed down for centuries. The Viterbo Tuscia, a land of shepherding and agriculture, holds the cult of Saint Anthony the Abbot as one of its identity cornerstones, and the fire burning in the main square is the most direct way to understand it. Around the bonfire, the elderly, families, children, and visitors from neighboring towns mingle in a simple and welcoming atmosphere.

The day is also perfect for a broader visit to the territory: Piansano is located just a few kilometers from Lake Bolsena and Tuscia villages like Tuscania, Montefiascone, and Valentano, all reachable within a half-hour drive. A January weekend in northern Lazio, amidst fires, country cooking, and volcanic landscapes, is an experience off the beaten tourist path.