Church of Sant'Antonio Abate
Facts and practical information
The church of Sant'Antonio Abate is a religious building located in Tossicia, in the province of Teramo, within the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park, in the central area of the Mavone Valley.
The church is modest in size and is dedicated to the patron saint of domestic animals. It stands on the highest part of the small village square. The sacred building, mentioned in the List of Monumental Buildings of the Province of Teramo, was built entirely of exposed stone and is shown in its simple and essential austerity, embellished only by the finely decorated external portal, restored by the Abruzzo Superintendency after World War II.
It is a tradition to stack a tower of lumber in front of the church entrance to be set on fire, called "St. Anthony's fire tower." This is a peculiar rite of the winter season held in the village towards the end of January.
Abruzzo