atri

December 8th is ‘Immacolata Concezione’ (Immaculate Conception Day), when Italy traditionally turns on its Christmas lights, but in Abruzzo, there is another tradition and rite in many beach and mountain towns, the lighting of giant bonfires accompanied by song and cheer that begin on the 7th December!

An all night celebration held in Atri is  the La Notte dei Faugni.  This is an ancient, agricultural tradition, the “Fauni Ignis”, the fires of Fauno, when its streets become “rivers of fire”