One special winter morning, Rome wakes up to one of the most unexpected scenes. 

Dogs wrapped in coats, cats in carriers, and farm animals gather near historic churches to receive a blessing during the Feast of St. Anthony the Abbot on January 17, known locally as La Festa di Sant’Antonio Abate.

After the crowds and celebrations of Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and the Epifania, this tradition feels like a quiet encore to the holiday season, bringing warmth and color to the calmer days of January. 

Relaxed, family-friendly, and wonderfully photogenic, the Feast of St. Anthony the Abbot in Rome is more than a religious celebration—it’s a moment when rural customs and urban life come together, offering travelers a rare glimpse of Rome beyond its most famous landmarks!

In Italian popular tradition, January 17 is the feast of Saint Anthony the Abbot, a symbolic turning point in the winter season. Old rural sayings suggest that while winter may arrive slowly, St. Anthony’s day marks the moment when its presence finally makes itself felt.

For centuries, communities across Italy have celebrated this day by gathering in the streets with their animals. After the Holy Mass, pets and livestock traditionally receive a blessing in an atmosphere that is both festive and deeply symbolic. In many regions, the celebration is accompanied by large bonfires, lit in honor of the saint and meant to ward off misfortune and mark a moment of renewal during the darkest weeks of the year.

In Italian popular tradition, January 17 is the feast of Saint Anthony the Abbot, a symbolic turning point in the winter season. Old rural sayings suggest that while winter may arrive slowly, St. Anthony’s day marks the moment when its presence finally makes itself felt.

For centuries, communities across Italy have celebrated this day by gathering in the streets with their animals. After the Holy Mass, pets and livestock traditionally receive a blessing in an atmosphere that is both festive and deeply symbolic. In many regions, the celebration is accompanied by large bonfires, lit in honor of the saint and meant to ward off misfortune and mark a moment of renewal during the darkest weeks of the year.

One of the main places to experience the Blessing of Animals in Rome is the Esquiline Hill, one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods. For centuries, the ceremony took place at the St Anthony Abbot Church in Rome, a 15th-century church located just a short walk from Santa Maria Maggiore.

As the event grew more popular—and modern traffic made it impractical for livestock—the blessing was moved to the nearby Church of Sant'Eusebio. On January 17, Romans gather here with dogs, cats, and other pets in a welcoming atmosphere. Small artisan stalls and food stands often appear nearby, making the event enjoyable even for visitors without animals.

In 2026, the Feast of St. Anthony the Abbot in St. Peter’s Square takes on a particularly striking form, as it coincides with the Giornata dell’Allevatore (Breeders’ Day).

The day begins with a solemn liturgical celebration inside St. Peter’s Basilica, followed by one of the most striking scenes Rome offers in winter. Lipizzaner horses, among the most elegant breeds in European equestrian tradition, parade along Via della Conciliazione, leading toward Piazza San Pietro. Here, the animals receive a blessing from Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of St. Peter. Alongside the horses, other animals brought by farmers from across Italy are also blessed, highlighting the enduring bond between the Eternal City and its rural traditions.

Saint Anthony the Abbot, also known as Saint Anthony of Egypt, lived between the 3rd and 4th centuries. After giving away all his possessions at a young age, Anthony withdrew into the Egyptian desert, embracing a life of asceticism, prayer, and solitude. According to early Christian tradition, this period was marked by visions in which the Devil tested him through frightening appearances, often taking the form of wild beasts and other creatures.

For centuries, artists and writers have been fascinated by the Temptations of St. Anthony, which have inspired famous works by Hieronymus Bosch, Matthias Grünewald, Paul Cézanne, and SalvaWho was St. Anthony the Abbot?dor Dalí, as well as the novel The Temptation of Saint Anthony by Gustave Flaubert.

St. Anthony’s connection to animals developed centuries after his lifetime, as devotion to the saint spread across medieval Europe and became closely linked to rural life.

Around 1100, the Order of Hospitallers of St. Anthony was founded near Grenoble. The monks cared for people suffering from a disease then known as St. Anthony’s Fire and were granted permission to raise pigs, whose fat was used in medical treatments. These pigs, protected by law and marked by bells, became a familiar sight in medieval towns—and eventually one of the saint’s most recognizable symbols.

Later folklore added to history. One popular legend tells of St. Anthony descending into Hell with his pig to steal fire from the Devil. Such stories helped shape the saint’s enduring image, reflected today in depictions of St. Anthony with a pig and a Tau-shaped staff, symbols of protection and renewal.

Winter is an ideal time to explore Rome at a slower pace, and events like the Blessing of Animals reveal a side of the city that many visitors never encounter. 

If you’re planning a winter trip to Rome and would like to include traditions like this—along with lesser-known neighborhoods and historic churches—feel free to contact us at info@citylightstours.com. We’ll be happy to help you discover a more authentic side of the Eternal City.