Friulian Epiphany – Pignarûl Grant

The night Friuli questions the fire

There is a night, at Epiphany, when all of Friuli looks up to the hills in search of a sign. In Tarcento, in the province of Udine, that sign comes from the Pignarûl Grant: the largest and most famous of the Epiphany bonfires in the region, lit on Colle di Coia on the evening of January 6th. It is the culmination of the Friulian Epiphany, one of the oldest and most defining traditions of the territory.

An almost centenary tradition

The event, organized by Pro Tarcento, will reach its 98th edition in 2026: a history spanning almost a century that has made Tarcento the "pearl of Friuli". The pignarûl, the ancient rite of the end-of-year bonfire, takes on unique dimensions and solemnity here, blending religiosity, folklore, and popular divination.

Three days of rites and spectacle

The festival unfolds over three days. January 4th opens with the awarding of the Epiphany Prize to Friulian personalities and the "Atôr pai Pignarui" march. January 5th is the day of the Palio dei pignarulârs, the spectacular race of the fiery carts featuring the young people from Tarcento's districts. January 6th, finally, is the day of the Pignarûl Grant: historical re-enactment, torchlight procession, and lighting of the pyre.

The Vecchio Venerando and the prophecy

The central figure of the rite is the Vecchio Venerando (Old Venerable), who leads thousands of torchbearers up the paths of the hill, forming a striking "ribbon of fire" on the mountain, until he lights the great bonfire. From the direction of the smoke and the behavior of the flames, he draws, according to age-old rites, the prophecy for the new year: if the smoke rises straight, it is a good omen; if it bends east or north, it announces difficulties.

• Epiphany Prize for Friulian personalities (January 4th)
• Palio dei pignarulârs, race of the fiery carts (January 5th)
• Torchlight procession and lighting of the Pignarûl Grant on Colle di Coia (January 6th)
• Final fireworks display
• Food and wine stalls with mulled wine and local products

Tarcento and the Valli del Torre

Experiencing Epiphany in Tarcento means immersing yourself in the heart of authentic Friuli, between the Julian Prealps and the Valli del Torre. The village, its Art Nouveau villas, and the bonfires on the hills create one of the most powerful images of the Friulian winter.