Bonfire of San Nicolò

349th Edition

With the patronage of the Municipality of Borgo Tossignano

📜 History and Tradition

The Bonfire of San Nicolò is one of the oldest and most heartfelt traditions of Tossignano, which is renewed every year on December 6th since way back in 1676 - well 349 years of uninterrupted history!

Tradition has it that the bonfire is lit by students in the main square of the village. The evening begins with a suggestive procession: the children leave the Church of San Girolamo carrying lit candles and singing ancient refrains in honor of San Nicolò, patron saint of schoolchildren.

Historical research

As documented by the research of the historian Sanzio Bombardini, written testimonies of this celebration can be found as early as 1676:

"The bonfire of San Nicolò was lit by the schoolchildren in the main square. They came out with candles from the Church of San Girolamo singing a refrain to the patron saint. With their savings they paid five baiocchi to the Company of the Most Holy Sacrament of San Girolamo for the drop in wax..."

This rite, handed down from generation to generation, represents a moment of aggregation for the entire community and a way to keep the cultural roots of the territory alive.

🔥 Evening Program

• 7:00 PM - Lighting of the large bonfire in the main square of Tossignano

• 7:30 PM - Blessing of the students at the Church of San Girolamo, followed by the traditional procession with candles

• 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM - Tastings and conviviality with Romagna specialties:

  • 🍲 Polenta with meat sauce prepared according to tradition
  • 🥖 Piadina hot freshly baked
  • 🌰 Roasted chestnuts
  • 🍷 Mulled wine steaming to warm up around the fire

📍 Practical Information

Where: Main Square, Tossignano
When: December 6, 2025, from 7:00 PM
Admission: Free and open
Parking: Available near the historic center