Fuoco di San Giorgio
San Giorgio is, along with Cristina, the patron saint of the town of Bolsena. His image is that of a knight defeating a dragon, symbolizing the victory of good over evil, and his feast day falls on April 23rd.
Tradition holds that on the evening of his commemoration, large pyres of olive wood were lit in the main piazzas of the town.
The pyres symbolized purification and renewal, while the olive tree, the tree of peace and blessing, added an even deeper meaning to this tradition.
Today, the only pyre that is lit is the one in Rione Castello, but the bonfire that illuminates the night, creating an evocative and engaging atmosphere, fills the people of Bolsena with pride as they gather around it for a moment of conviviality.
