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December in Abruzzo: The “Night of the Faugni” in Atri

Home » December in Abruzzo: The “Night of the Faugni” in Atri

Every year, from sunset on the 7th of December to sunrise on the 8th, the town of Atri in Abruzzo turns into a timeless village, rich in traditions and ancient folklore, where the sacred and the profane converge. This is the “Night of the Faugni, which has become renowned in the Teramo province and beyond.

Notte-dei-faugni-atri

The History

The faugni, undisputed protagonists of this magical night, are bundles of dry reeds tied together and lit by a big bonfire. They are then carried through the narrow streets of Atri in a procession accompanied by the festive atmosphere of the thousands of people present and the local band.

The faugni supposedly first appeared in 431 AD, but the practice of this tradition in Abruzzo dates back to a dim and distant past.

Fire, which has always been used as a propitiatory ritual, was lit in the countryside surrounding Teramo before the winter solstice in honor of Faun, the pagan god of crops and shepherds.

The Atrian solstice is celebrated every year from the sunset of December 7th until the sunrise of December 8th. This date has not been chosen randomly. The importance and popularity of this particular celebration is, in fact, the result of combining the profane fire ritual with the holy event which took place more than seven hundred years ago.

Atri-notte-dei-faugni

In December of 1294, after the defeat of the Crusaders in the Holy Land, the holy house of Mary of Nazareth was carried by the angels from Nazareth to Loreto in Italy so it wouldn’t fall into the hands of the Muslims. During their journey, Atri’s bonfires illuminated the path and led the way.

What to Expect

Each year, the longest night of the year unfolds in the same way- beginning at sunset on December 7th, with the blessing of the bonfire, until the dawn of December 8th when the procession begins. Departing from Piazza del Duomo, it winds along the streets of the village until it finally reaches its starting point to throw the remnants of the faugni into the great sacred fire, guarded by the magnificent Cathedral.

This is the most magical event of the year that warms up a cold, December night in Atri. Lots of entertainment is planned with concerts, theater, special guests, and lots of food!

faugni-atri-teramo
©Guglielmo di Camillo