Sant'Antoni te le Fòcare

A fire tradition spanning over two centuries

Sant'Antoni te le Fòcare is the winter festival that sets Cutrofiano ablaze every February 17th. Located in the lower Salento area of the Lecce province, in the heart of Puglia, this town celebrates differently than others in the region: while most Salento towns dedicate their bonfires to Saint Anthony the Abbot, here the fire ritual honors Saint Anthony of Padua, the town's patron saint. It is one of the most defining celebrations for the community of Cutrofiano, recognized within the broader landscape of Mediterranean fire rituals.

The legend of the 1810 earthquake

The tradition stems from a miraculous escape during an earthquake. On the night of February 17, 1810, the earth shook, yet the town remained unscathed, with no victims or damage. Terrified, the inhabitants poured into the streets and lit fires to keep warm during that freezing winter night. Since then, the community renews its devotion to Saint Anthony of Padua every year by lighting the focare as a sign of gratitude for the protection received.

Neighborhood bonfires and the grand Focara of Piazza Municipio

From the early morning, various neighborhoods prepare their nearly fifty focareddhre, small bonfires scattered throughout the town's crossroads. As evening falls, following the arrival of the saint's relics and the celebration of Mass, a procession winds through the town, blessing and lighting the neighborhood bonfires amidst a display of lights. The highlight is the pyrotechnic ignition of the grand Focara in Piazza Municipio, a monumental pyre that serves as the festival's burning heart, drawing locals and visitors alike.

Faith, music, and community

The festival blends the sacred with the popular: alongside the veneration of Saint Anthony of Padua's relics and the religious procession, the evening comes alive with fireworks and concerts of traditional Salento folk music, featuring the rhythmic pizzica. It is a night of togetherness where the entire community of Cutrofiano gathers around the fire.

Gastronomy and festival flavors

Surrounding the bonfires, food stalls offer local Salento specialties. The festival's signature dish is the panino cu llu pezzettu, a sandwich filled with horse meat slow-cooked in tomato sauce, best enjoyed with local wine from Cutrofiano. It is a perfect opportunity to discover Salento's popular cuisine in the convivial atmosphere of the evening.

Cutrofiano, the town of potters

Cutrofiano is famous throughout Puglia for its ancient pottery tradition, the art of the figuli—potters who have spent centuries crafting terracotta, tiles, and decorated artifacts. During the festival, it is common to find exhibitions of ceramic, wood, papier-mâché, and canvas works depicting the saint, a testament to the deep bond between popular devotion and local craftsmanship.