Spaniards ride horses through fire at Luminarias festival

A man rides a horse through a bonfire as part of a ritual in honor of Saint Anthony Saint Antony the abbot, the patron saint of animals.

Residents of a village in northwestern Spain have gathered to see the annual tradition of riding horses through fire.

The festival is known as Luminarias and is intended to bring prosperity and protection.

The 500-year-old tradition lasts until midnight, and villagers spend several days leading up to the event gathering tree branches for the pyres.

Locals believe the smoke purifies all bad things that may happen to the horse. They claim the horses are never hurt, but instead are protected for the coming year by the smoke and flames.

 


Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk

SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Press TV News Roku