Sant'Antonio Festival in Cercina

A rural tradition at the foot of Monte Morello

The Sant'Antonio Festival in Cercina is one of the most heartfelt winter events in Sesto Fiorentino, located in the Metropolitan City of Florence, Tuscany. It takes place every year in mid-January in the charming hillside hamlet of Cercina, nestled on the slopes of Monte Morello around the ancient Romanesque parish church of Sant'Andrea. The celebration is dedicated to Saint Anthony the Abbot, the hermit saint revered throughout Italy as the protector of animals and the farming community, and it is deeply rooted in the rural culture that has defined these hills on the outskirts of Florence for centuries.

The blessing of the animals

The heart of the festival is the blessing of the animals, an event that draws many residents from the plains and hills alike, who bring their four-legged friends—and others—to participate. Dogs, cats, horses, and small farm animals are brought before the church to receive a blessing: a popular tradition that blends religious devotion with affection and family, sealed by the parish priest who distributes a small commemorative medal to the owners.

The parade, the band, and the horsemen

The morning begins with the formation of the parade, which travels from the center of the village up along Via della Docciola to the church. The pace is set by the marching band and the horsemen, who, along with local officials and citizens, create a colorful and festive procession. Once at the church, the blessing and Holy Mass are celebrated before the festivities shift to a more social and gastronomic focus.

New olive oil, fettunta, and a communal lunch

In keeping with Tuscan tradition, after the religious services, attendees enjoy a tasting of new olive oil and fettunta—the classic bruschetta drizzled with freshly pressed extra virgin olive oil—shared in the cloister and the village's Civic Center. The highlight of the social gathering is the communal lunch at Civic Center No. 5 in Cercina, featuring a menu of Tuscan classics, including appetizers, handmade tortelli, and dessert.

A community celebration

The event is the result of the hard work of many local associations: the Comitato del Trentesimo, the Parish of Sant'Andrea in Cercina, the Pro Loco Sesto Fiorentino (Pro Sesto APS), the Circolo ARCI Cercina, and Civic Center No. 5, with the patronage of the Municipality of Sesto Fiorentino. It is one of those genuine village festivals, far from mass tourism, where one can rediscover the value of community and the traditions of the Florentine province.