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Work on the 'Fòcara' has already begun by mid December. The winter prunings of dried and old wood from the grape vines, prolific in the agricultural districts around the town, accumulate in Piazza Tito Schipa. Tradition determines that construction of the giant bonfire, which will eventually arrive at a height and diametre of more than 20 metres, begins at dawn on the 7th January. Work proceeds throughout the following days in order to complete construction in time for the much anticipated lighting of the 'Fòcara' on the eve of the 16th of January. The event celebrates the patron saint of the town of Novoli, Sant'Antonio Abate (Saint Anthony the Abbot). Indeed, there are a series of religious events which take place in the days before and after the actual feast day on the 17th January. Special masses are celebrated and there is the procession of a statue of Sant'Antonio through the town centre which starts immediately after a blessing of the animals in the afternoon of the 16th of January. The last of the traditional religious preparations before lighting the bonfire is the blessing of the image of Sant'Antonio which is mounted on the top of the bonfire to be burned in effigy. Although this is a Christian festival dedicated to the town's patron saint, the lighting of the bonfire is a rite with its roots firmly planted in pagan practice.
 The fireworks and the fòcara |
 The fòcara on the 16th January |
 Church of Sant'Antonio |
 The lights in the town centre |
A similar, but less widely known, event takes place in Grottaglie, about 65 km north east of Novoli and in the province of Taranto, on January 30th and 31st each year. The 'Fòcara' in Grottaglie celebrates San Ciro (Saint Cyrus), patron saint and protector of the city.