Fire of Saint Anthony the Abbot in Dorgali

the night of January 16, Dorgali lights up, as is the case in other centers of the island such as Aritzo, Bolotana, Bosa, Desulo, Budoni in Escalaplano, Nuoro and Ussassai and in many other countries. To illuminate its darkness is the impressive bonfire lit in honor of Sant'Antonio Abate.
On the night of January 16, Dorgali lights up, as well as other centers of the island such as Aritzo, Bolotana, Bosa, Desulo, Budoni in Escalaplano, Nuoro and Ussassai and many other countries. To illuminate its darkness is the impressive bonfire lit in honor of Sant'Antonio Abate. An ancient and deep-rooted cult is that of Sant'Antonio Abate, an important exponent of Egyptian asceticism in the third century AD. The saint, in fact, is seen by the Christian community as a staunch opponent of the devils and the flames of hell. Legend has it that the Saint stole a glowing sparkle from the Kingdom of the Underworld to give it to humanity, thus endowing it with fire. The rite dedicated to Saint Anthony, which naturally mixes Christian devotion and ancient pagan traditions, has been documented since the mid-19th century, but its origins are certainly more remote.

On this magical night, the Saint is asked for graces and miracles in an almost magical context, dominated by the impressive bonfire that consumes huge piles of wood. Rosemary plants burn in Dorgali, while in front of the fire there is a distribution of blessed breads and traditional dishes based on fava beans and sapa and honey cakes. For the event, in fact, typical desserts such as “pistiddu”, a masterpiece of Dorgalese culinary art, are made up of two overlapping sheets of pasta that hold together a delicious jam derived from vincotta. At the top of the red-hot cone there is a cross bearing oranges that must be heroically collected by the children of the town. Don't forget that for the occasion, the cellars of the Sant'Antonio district open up to offer participants Cannonau wine.
The fire burns all night long: it will be the drawing of the smoke that emanates that suggests wishes and prophecies

Update

4/9/2023 - 19:00