In a dramatic display of faith and tradition, hundreds of spectators in Spain witnessed horses galloping through towering bonfires this weekend. The spectacle, part of the ancient Las Luminarias festival, took place hours before a more serene counterpart in Madrid, where pet owners took their dogs and cats to church for a blessing.
Flames and Faith: The Ancient Ritual of Las Luminarias
The fiery event unfolded in the small village of San Bartolome de Pinares, located roughly 100 kilometres (60 miles) from Madrid. With a population of just 500, the village comes alive each January to honour St. Anthony the Abbott, the patron saint of domestic animals. Riders guided their horses through and over bonfires built from giant stacks of tree branches in the street, an act believed to purify the animals and ensure their health for the coming year.
"In the old days it was held because it was believed that the branches and the smoke blessed the horses and donkeys, which were used for farming, as a form of healing to prevent them from getting sick," explained 62-year-old attendee Antonio Patricio. The festivities began around nightfall on Friday 16 January 2026, with locals sharing wine and sweets before the branches were lit.
Preparation and Protection for the Fire Jump
In preparation for the daring leap, riders take significant precautions to protect their animals. Hours before the event, they wrap their horses' tails in fire-resistant tape and often apply a protective glaze to the mane. The animals are also beautified with tightly braided manes, ribbons, and decorative headpieces. Locals insist the horses are rarely injured, though the practice has faced long-standing criticism from animal rights groups.
The tradition is said to have originated centuries ago after a mysterious illness swept through the village's livestock. People began to believe the smoke could purify and heal the horses, a belief that persists today. For attendees, participating means returning home in the early hours with clothes and hair smelling strongly of smoke—a small price for a night that brings family and visitors back to Spain's often-emptying countryside.
A Contrasting Blessing: Pets Sprinkled in Madrid Church
The following morning, on Saturday 17 January, the celebration took a gentler turn in the capital. At St. Anthony's church in central Madrid, pet owners queued patiently with their dogs and cats for a ritual blessing. Catholic priests spritzed the animals with holy water, a act also believed to grant the pets health and protection for the year ahead.
"I’m happy to be able to do it," said Madrid resident Rosa Gomez, holding her pointy-eared dog, Kia. Many dogs were wrapped in winter coats, while the cats appeared somewhat bewildered by the experience. This watery blessing draws far less objection than the fiery trials of Las Luminarias, yet both stem from the same deep-rooted veneration for St. Anthony and the animals under his care.
Together, these contrasting Spanish animal rituals—one of blazing courage and one of quiet sanctity—highlight the enduring cultural traditions that continue to define communities across the nation, drawing loyal crowds and devoted participants year after year.
