St. Anthony's Fires

The Torean custom sees in the first thirteenth of June the lighting of fires in honour of St Anthony of Padua. Several streets and 'viarelle', many more in the past than today, are thus illuminated and warmed by the lively flames of the fire, which attracts many of the inhabitants of the neighbourhood. Tradition wanted the lighting of the fires to represent a religious rite: the purpose was in fact to gather around the bonfire to pray in honour of the Saint. With the passing of the years, this rite has partly lost its original meaning: gathering around the fire has become, in fact, a moment of aggregation to spend a pleasant early summer evening. Today, the tradition that sees as its most important moment the lighting of the largest fire, that of the thirteenth and last evening, during which, on top of the pile of wood and broom, a puppet made of rags and rags, known as the Baby doll. With the background of the typical schioppettio of the brooms, one can enjoy tasty cavatelli and other delicacies with a good glass of wine.