Ancient All Saints' Fair

A tradition rooted in the Middle Ages

The Ancient All Saints' Fair is one of the most historic and identity-defining events in Valenzano, a town in the Metropolitan City of Bari, Puglia. Its origins date back to the famous Nicolaian Fairs established in the 14th century under Frederick II, which were originally held at the Benedictine Abbey of Ognissanti di Cuti. Following the decline of the monastic complex, the fair was officially moved to the town of Valenzano by a royal decree of Joachim Murat on June 3, 1811. Since then, it has been held annually on November 1st, All Saints' Day.

A four-kilometer-long market

The heart of the event remains its commercial soul: hundreds of vendors—typically counting several hundred stalls, with over 800 exhibitors in the busiest years—take over the town streets for a 4-km-long route, offering artisanal, commercial, and livestock goods. It is one of the largest and most popular town fairs in the Bari hinterland, attracting visitors from across the entire province.

The medieval village in Largo Frate Francesco

Alongside the market, the fair features a true medieval village set up in Largo Frate Francesco, which typically opens in the morning and enlivens the day with costumed performers and ancient crafts. Inside, there are over sixteen educational stalls, from scribes to candlemakers, from potters to tavern games and children's fencing, as well as a large area dedicated to medieval music and instruments, an arms exhibition, and a display of birds of prey. Among the most popular attractions:

• Falconry shows and birds of prey displays
• Early music concerts with period instruments
• Medieval battles and re-enactments with costumed performers
• Street artists (madonnari), games, and workshops for children

The Abbey of Ognissanti di Cuti

The event is closely linked to the Abbey of Ognissanti di Cuti, a jewel of Puglian Romanesque architecture just outside the town, considered one of the first examples of this style in the region. The fair, which still bears the name of the All Saints' feast, was born around this Benedictine monastery, which was powerful and rich in privileges during the Swabian era.

Admission and information

The fair and the medieval village offer free admission. Organized by the Municipality of Valenzano, the event combines traditional shopping, street food, and historical re-enactment into one great day of celebration. Dates and the detailed program for the 2026 edition have not yet been announced by the organizers.