The Bonfire Festival at San Salvatore Abbey
Abbadia San Salvatore is a small town named after the Benedictine Abbey of San Salvatore which is one of the main attractions of the town. This picturesque town is situated at the eastern slope of the Amiata Mountain amidst dense and heavily wooded forests.
Every year on the night before Christmas a huge bonfire festival is held in town. This festival dates back to over thousand years. Although its origins are obscure its antiquity is well established and it’s a traditional part of Christmas celebrations in this naturally beautiful and somewhat isolated part of Tuscany.
Legend says that the residents of the local villages surrounding the beautiful volcanic Mountain Amiata lit huge fires to warm themselves as they prepared themselves to celebrate the birth of Christ the next day. They also consider this festival as a tribute to the shepherds who welcomed Christ Child by following the Star.
The forests surrounding Mountain Amiata, mainly chestnut provide wood for the bonfires. There are totally thirty stacks of firewood piled high upto a height of five metres. The residents of San Salvatore call this festival “La Fiaccole di Natale.” They organize a torch procession thought the streets of the town. Finally these torches are used to light the bonfires amidst singing of Christmas carols and traditional Christmas songs.
The bonfires continue burning throughout the night. All the local taverns, inns and restaurants open their doors and there is feasting and merriment as the residents enjoy the wines, local delicacies and traditional dishes available. The Bonfire Festival is the first step for the local residents to get ready to celebrate Christmas the next day.
Christmas is an important festival all over Tuscany. There are celebrations right from Christmas Eve upto Epiphany in January throughout Tuscany. Come join us and let us make this holiday season memorable together.
