The Spanish village of San Bartolome de Pinares, northwest of Madrid, held its traditional Luminarias celebration on January 16, the eve of the festival of Saint Anthony.

Over 100 horses and their riders burst through flames, the main act of the annual celebration.

Said to have been held for five centuries, the bonfire smoke which is part of the ritual is thought to purify and protect the animals, as well as give the riders fertility in the coming year.

Though there are no written records of the origin of the festival, villagers have been honoring the tradition in order to secure good fortune in the year to come.