I Fuochi di San Pio

A festival of fire in the heart of the Tavoliere

I Fuochi di San Pio has become one of the most anticipated pyrotechnic events in the Province of Foggia and the entire Puglia region. Every year, at the end of September, the small town of Stornarella, located in the Cinque Reali Siti territory in the center of the Tavoliere delle Puglie, lights up with a fireworks competition that organizers proudly call the largest 'bolognese' and 'sanseverese' battery festival in Southern Italy.

The challenge of the great pyrotechnic firms

The heart of the event is the competition between the most renowned pyrotechnic companies from the Foggia area and beyond. In the most recent edition, four industry leaders faced off: Pirotecnica Chiarappa (San Severo), Nuova Pirodaunia (San Severo), Pyrotek (Apricena), and R.S. Fireworks Firefly (Foggia). Each company presents its own battery, judged on power, synchronization, color, and originality, in a true masterclass challenge that combines artisanal technique with showmanship. The evening also features a non-competitive pyrotechnic display as the grand finale.

The 'bolognese' and 'sanseverese' batteries

The star of the show is the 'bolognese' battery, a pyrotechnic technique involving the rhythmic and powerful ignition of long sequences of ground and aerial shots, accompanied by the 'sanseverese' tradition, the pride of Puglian pyrotechnics linked to the city of San Severo. It is an artisanal heritage rooted in the patronal feasts of Southern Italy, and Stornarella provides an exceptional showcase for it.

Devotion to Saint Pio of Pietrelcina

The event is dedicated to Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, the saint with the stigmata venerated by millions of faithful worldwide. The event was born and has grown thanks to the commitment of the Associazione Croce San Francesco B.V.M. della Stella, which combines the devotional dimension with the spectacular, under the patronage of the Municipality of Stornarella and the Puglia Region.

An event for everyone

Founded in 2017, the festival has grown edition after edition to become a major draw for the entire Tavoliere district. The evening takes place along Via Ascoli Satriano, in the industrial zone of Stornarella, a spacious and safe area capable of accommodating thousands of spectators. Admission is free and the atmosphere is that of a great town festival: it attracts not only pyrotechnic enthusiasts but also families, children, and visitors from all over Puglia, drawn by the spectacle of lights illuminating the Tavoliere sky.