Fogoron

The Fire that Closes the Holidays

In Friuli, the evening of Epiphany has a specific color: the orange of the flames. The Fogoron of Montereale Valcellina is one of these large propitiatory bonfires that light up the region's villages on the night between January 5th and 6th. It is the heir to an ancient, rural, and collective rite: the direction of the smoke is observed to draw auspices for the new year's harvest, while the fire symbolically burns the old year.

The Evening of January 5th in Via della Croce

The event takes place in Via della Croce, where the large bonfire is lit on the evening of January 5th. The entire community gathers around the flames, in one of the most cherished evenings of winter. It is a moment of transition: bidding farewell to the Christmas holidays and welcoming the new year, experienced together in the warmth of the fire.

Flavors of Friulian Winter

As with every respectable Friulian festival, the Fogoron also has its own table. Around the bonfire, crostini with musetto—Friulian cotechino—pasta and beans, pinza, the typical Epiphany cake, and the unmissable steaming mulled wine are served. Simple, robust flavors, perfect for warming up on the coldest evenings of the year.

Montereale and the Tradition of Fire

Organized by the Pro Loco, the Fogoron is a piece in the grand mosaic of Friulian Epiphany bonfires, from the pignarûi of the plains to the fires of the mountains. In Montereale Valcellina, the gateway to Valcellina, it is also an opportunity to experience the village in the full winter atmosphere, amidst tradition, community, and good food.