Focara di Novoli 2027 — The Great Bonfire of Sant’Antonio Abate in Salento

Every January, the small Salento town of Novoli (province of Lecce) hosts one of Europe’s most extraordinary winter spectacles: the Fòcara di Novoli, a towering bonfire dedicated to Sant’Antonio Abate that can reach 25 meters in height. With over 80,000 attendees and coverage by National Geographic, this UNESCO-worthy tradition transforms the quiet olive-growing town into the epicenter of Salento’s winter calendar.

The Legend and the Fire

The origins of the Fòcara date back to the Byzantine era, around the year 1000, when Eastern monks brought the cult of Saint Anthony the Abbot to Salento. The bonfire — built entirely from dried vine branches (tralci di vite) collected from the surrounding Negroamaro vineyards — is an engineering feat as much as a ritual. Each year, the builders (costruttori) vary the shape, sometimes carving a tunnel (the galleria) through which the saint’s statue passes during the procession. The structure takes weeks to assemble and is ignited on the evening of January 16 in a choreographed fireworks-and-fire display that draws gasps from the crowd.

Three Days of Celebration

The Fòcara is the climax of a broader festa that spans nearly two weeks, with the most intense celebrations concentrated on January 16–18:

• January 16 — La Notte del Fuoco (Night of Fire): After the evening procession through Novoli’s streets, the Fòcara is ignited at approximately 21:00 in a breathtaking pyrotechnic display. The bonfire burns through the night and continues glowing for over 24 hours.
• January 17 — Feast of Sant’Antonio Abate: The religious high point — Pontifical Mass, the blessing of animals (Saint Anthony is protector of animals), and the release of the satirical local newspapers Le Fasciddre te la Fòcara and Sant’Antonio e L’Artieri, humorous publications that have chronicled Novoli life for over 40 editions.
• January 18 — Festa te li Paesani: Locals’ day — the intimate conclusion when Novolesi celebrate among themselves with the traditional sagra te lu puercu (pork feast), a tradition dating back to when a village pig named “Lu Ntùnieggiu” roamed freely and was welcomed into homes.

Beyond the Fire

The Fòcara weekend offers far more than the bonfire itself. Throughout the festa, Novoli hosts concerts (from traditional pizzica to contemporary Italian artists), book presentations, art exhibitions, and food and wine tastings celebrating Salento’s culinary heritage. Hundreds of market stalls line the streets, and special trains run from Lecce and across southern Italy to accommodate the crowds. The ancient ritual of collecting embers and ashes from the Fòcara (scattered on fields for good harvest) still continues today.

Practical Information

Novoli is 15 km from Lecce, reachable by Ferrovie Sud-Est trains from Lecce station (15 minutes) or by car via the SS 694 Tangenziale Ovest di Lecce. During the Fòcara, special late-night train services operate. All events are free. Dress warmly — January evenings in Salento can be chilly despite the fire. Arrive early on January 16 to claim a good viewing spot; the crowd reaches its peak around 20:00.

The Fòcara di Novoli is more than a bonfire — it’s a living piece of Mediterranean agrarian spirituality, a community’s proudest moment, and arguably the most spectacular winter event in southern Italy. If you only experience one winter festival in Puglia, make it this one.