The contrasting Spanish traditions take place every January to honour St Anthony the Abbot, the patron saint of domestic animals. Riders guide horses through bonfires in the middle of the street in an act believed to purify the animals in the coming year. Pet owners waited patiently on Saturday outside the entrance of St Anthony’s church in central Madrid, where Catholic priests blessed the passing animals. St Anthony is Spain’s patron saint of animals (Manu Fernandez/AP)“I’m happy to be able to do it,” said Madrid resident Rosa Gomez, holding up her dog, Kia. Some apply a glaze on the animals’ mane to prevent them from burning as they leap through the flames.

Source: The Times January 18, 2026 02:15 UTC