Focara of Saint Anthony Abbot

The Focara of Saint Anthony Abbot 2025 in Monteroni di Lecce was highly anticipated for Sunday, January 26, but the eve of the event was marked by a painful episode. During the previous night, unknown individuals set fire to the large, six-meter-high bonfire, which had been carefully prepared for the celebration, destroying it before the official lighting. The Carabinieri launched an investigation to identify those responsible.

Mayor Mariolina Pizzuto publicly denounced the incident on social media, calling it "an act of spite against the entire community." Despite the premature blaze, the community of Monteroni di Lecce did not give up on the moments of faith and devotion linked to Saint Anthony Abbot, confirming the town's deep-rooted attachment to a tradition passed down for generations.