St. John's Fire

The bonfire that rekindles tradition in Carrito

In the small village of Carrito, a hamlet of Ortona dei Marsi in the province of L'Aquila, the St. John's Fire is one of the most anticipated events of the summer. Nestled at an altitude of about 890 meters in the Giovenco River valley, on the edge of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park, this village in the Marsica region renews an ancient and evocative rite every year: the lighting of a large bonfire that illuminates the night and brings together residents and visitors.

A propitiatory rite linked to the solstice

The fire lit in Carrito is not just a spectacle: it is the survival of an ancient propitiatory rite linked to the summer solstice. In the popular tradition of the Marsica region, the night of St. John the Baptist (June 24th) is the moment when, according to a local saying, "the sun marries the moon and the fire marries the water": two elements that intertwine in a blend of Christian beliefs and older pagan rites. The flames, a symbol of purification and strength given to the sun at the moment when the days begin to shorten, were once lit in many Abruzzese towns to ward off evil and bring good harvests.

In the Marsica region, this magical night was accompanied by numerous customs: the collection of purifying dew at dawn, ritual baths in the waters of the Giovenco believed to have healing powers, and St. John's water scented with flowers and herbs. In Carrito, the strongest sign of this legacy is the bonfire, guarded and rekindled by the community.

A community celebration

The evening takes place in "La Fonte" square, which for the occasion becomes the beating heart of the festivities. Families, young people, and curious visitors gather around the fire in a convivial atmosphere filled with good food, drinks, and music. It is an opportunity to rediscover the roots of the village and experience a moment of authentic sharing, far from the large crowds, in one of the most characteristic hamlets of Ortona dei Marsi.

Organization

The event is promoted and managed by the Pro Loco Carrito, which keeps this tradition alive and passes it on to new generations. The St. John's Fire is part of the calendar of summer events in the Marsica territory, in Abruzzo, and represents one of the most deeply felt identity rites of this mountain corner.