Focarina di San Giuseppe – Segone del Rubicone

The Focarina di San Giuseppe in Savignano sul Rubicone

The Focarina di San Giuseppe is one of the most cherished folk festivals in Savignano sul Rubicone, a town in the province of Forlì-Cesena on the banks of the river that gave its name to Julius Caesar's famous crossing. Every year, on the occasion of St. Joseph's feast day, what is described as the largest bonfire in the Rubicone valley is lit in the municipal stadium car park, on viale della Resistenza: a large pyre that, according to Romagna peasant tradition, marks the transition from winter to spring and promotes a good harvest.

A Community Tradition

The festival is not just a bonfire, but a true village evening that brings together local associations and volunteers. The event is promoted by the association Rubicone Eventi, with the patronage of the Municipality of Savignano sul Rubicone, and the proceeds from the evening are donated to local Civil Protection, AVIS, and AIDO. It is an event where solidarity and tradition intertwine, in true Romagna spirit.

The Segone del Rubicone

From 2026, an original new feature will be added to the Focarina: the Segone del Rubicone, a palio that pits the town's eight districts against each other — Rio Salto-Castelvecchio, Cesare, Centro, Valle Ferrovia, San Giovanni, Bastia, Capanni, and Fiumicino. The teams compete "with saws" in a test of skill and team spirit that revives ancient woodworking gestures. Each district fields six competitors divided into age categories: two pulcini (18-25 years old), two giovanissimi (26-50 years old), and two maestri d'ascia (51-99 years old).

Gastronomy and Music

The evening is accompanied by a food stand with typical Romagna flavors — piadina, sausage, and onion — and concludes with a concert that livens up the square until late. The Focarina di San Giuseppe is thus a perfect opportunity to discover the authenticity of the Rubicone folk festivals, with fire, district competitions, and conviviality.