Skip menu
Art and culture
25 December 2023

Night of the Torchlights in Abbadia San Salvatore

Overview

Sparks of fire rise towards the dark night sky and warm the faces of visitors numb from the cold: it is Christmas Eve, the Notte delle Fiaccole (Night of the Torchlights) at Abbadia San Salvatore

Every 24th December in this historic village in the province of Siena, this ancient tradition is held as a way to renew ancestral liturgies rooted in the heart of every local resident.

Wooden pyres up to seven metres high are prepared using special techniques that have been handed down from generation to generation. Built in each terziere of the small medieval village, the wood is prepared as early as autumn. It is a painstaking task that unites young and old.

At 6:00 p.m., under the watchful and silent gaze of hundreds of people, the main torch-lighting ceremony in front of the town hall and the Blessing of the Fire take place, marking the start of the festival. The melody of Christmas songs accompanies the torch leaders who carry flaming torches to light the dozens of other torches scattered throughout the historic centre and the rest of the town on Mount Amiata. It is a truly unique, magnetic and evocative spectacle. 

One of Italy’s oldest fire festivals, it invites all visitors to experience the eternal struggle between Light and Darkness with honest hearts and a sense of communion, and to reflect on and welcome the Mystery of Christmas.

Hours

For more information visit https://www.cittadellefiaccole.it/

You might be interested in

Food and wine
Photo by: Flavia Cori

Tuscan street food

Historical sites
San Gimignano

San Gimignano, the city of 14 towers

Villages
Montepulciano, Tuscany. Palazzo Comunale di Montepulciano Girl looks at the landscape of the city and countryside from the balcony

Montepulciano

Tours and experiences
Tuscany by car surrounded by nature, art and unique flavors

Tuscany by car surrounded by nature, art and unique flavors

Spirituality
The Via Francigena in Tuscany: where time seems to have stopped

The Via Francigena in Tuscany: where time seems to have stopped

Food and wine
Gourmet trip to Tuscany to discover its biodiversity

Gourmet trip to Tuscany to discover its biodiversity

UNESCO
San Gimignano, a journey through the charm of the Middle Ages and the magic of Nature

San Gimignano, a journey through the charm of the Middle Ages and the magic of Nature

Art and culture
Cities of art, beautiful landscapes and good food: Tuscany is every tourist's dream destination

Cities of art, beautiful landscapes and good food: Tuscany is every tourist's dream destination

UNESCO
Pienza, the Ideal City

Pienza, the Ideal City

UNESCO
Siena and the low-key charm of the historic centre

Siena and the low-key charm of the historic centre

UNESCO
177395107

Val d'Orcia: rolling hills among vineyards and medieval villages

Relax and wellness
In the Val d'Orcia, in Bagno Vignoni, a land of water and wine

In the Val d'Orcia, in Bagno Vignoni, a land of water and wine

Food and wine
PDO and PGI specialities of Tuscany

PDO and PGI specialities of Tuscany

Relax and wellness
Siena Province and its Terme

Siena Province and its Terme

Spirituality
A weekend in Val d'Orcia: 10 unmissable churches and monasteries

A weekend in Val d'Orcia: 10 unmissable churches and monasteries

Sport
Mountain bikers on touristic trail in Tuscany

Tuscany: cycling around Siena between wines and spas

Spirituality
In Tuscany, in search of the floor of Siena Cathedral

In Tuscany, in search of the floor of Siena Cathedral

Food and wine
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG

Cycling tourism
Siena and surroundings: two wheels, endless emotions

Siena and surroundings: two wheels, endless emotions

Cycling tourism
1600X1000_sterrati_strade_bianche_cardina_1.jpg

Amidst medieval villages and enchanted hills: cycling along the gravel roads of the Strade Bianche

Ops! An error occurred while sharing your content. Please accept profiling cookies to share the page.