Fuoco di San Tommaso

A centuries-old tradition in the heart of Abruzzo

The Fuoco di San Tommaso, known in the local dialect as "Lu Foche de Sande Tumuässe", is one of the most iconic events in the winter calendar of San Salvo, a town in the province of Chieti, Abruzzo. Every year, on the evening of December 20th—the longest night of the year—the community gathers around a large bonfire lit in Piazza San Vitale, in a ritual that weaves together memory, spirituality, and popular participation.

The origins: the 1745 relics of San Vitale

The celebration is rooted in a specific historical event: in 1745, the relics of San Vitale the Martyr arrived in San Salvo from Rome, a gift from Pope Benedict XIV through Cardinal Pier Luigi Carafa, establishing the saint as the city's patron and protector. According to tradition, the night of their arrival was freezing and possibly snowy; to keep warm and ward off the darkness, the people of San Salvo lit a fire, feeding it throughout the night with wood brought from every home until it died down at dawn on December 21st. This gesture gave birth to the ritual that is still renewed today.

The evening program

The event centers on the solemn lighting of the fire, accompanied by a blessing from the parish priest of San Giuseppe, Father Raimondo Artese, in the presence of local authorities. This is followed by a historical pageant that starts from Piazza della Pace, re-enacting the arrival of the relics of San Vitale: costumed performers, organized by the Nuovo Sipario d'Argento association, parade alongside the horses and riders of the Horse Men Team through the streets of the town center until they reach Piazza San Vitale.

• Lighting of the bonfire and blessing
• Historical pageant and re-enactment of the arrival of the relics of San Vitale
• Participation of the Horse Men Team riders
• Traditional Abruzzese folk music and singing

Music, folklore, and community

The evening is enriched by folk music: recent editions have featured the Orchestra Popolare del Saltarello, showcasing typical Abruzzese sounds and dances, as well as highly anticipated concerts. Above all, the Fuoco di San Tommaso remains a moment of community: an occasion for the people of San Salvo to gather around the flames to celebrate their history and faith.

An event organized by the Pro Loco

The re-enactment is promoted by the Pro Loco San Salvo APS in collaboration with the Municipality of San Salvo, the San Giuseppe parish, and numerous local associations. Admission is free, set against the evocative backdrop of San Salvo's historic center, which serves as the stage for one of the most authentic winter traditions on the Adriatic coast of Abruzzo.