Each year in the village of San Bartolome de Pinares in Avila, Castile and León, the traditional fiesta is held on January 16th in honour of Saint Anthony, the patron saint of animals.
Photo: AFP
Horsemen charge their steeds through bonfires in a festival that is decried as cruel by animal welfare groups.
Photo: AFP
The festival stems from medieval times, when Spaniards believed that fires were magic and had purifying properties.
Photo: AFP
Now, the rites of the fire are said to ward off evil spirits and protect the coming year's harvest.
Photo: AFP
Particpants insist the flames do not harm the animals.
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