Ancient Fair and Saint Peter Festival

A fair that spans the centuries

The Ancient Fair and Saint Peter Festival in Casalvecchio Siculo, in the province of Messina, is one of the longest-running events in Eastern Sicily. Its origins date back to 1480, when the Basilian monks residing at the Abbey of Santi Pietro e Paolo d'Agrò were granted the privilege of establishing an annual fair. For centuries, it was one of the island's most important merchant fairs, lasting an entire week and famous for livestock trading. Today, it retains its spirit as a popular, religious, and gastronomic celebration.

The heart of the festival: mutton

The true protagonist of the festival is castrato (mutton), cooked in the oven or on the grill according to the traditional farming customs of the Agrò Valley. During the evenings of the fair, the ancient village of Cristuri, at the foot of the abbey, comes alive with stands and open-air taverns where visitors can taste typical dishes, local products, and authentic flavors of the past. On Sunday morning, the mutton is also sold for takeaway, a ritual that draws visitors from across the entire Ionian area of Messina.

The Norman Abbey of Santi Pietro e Paolo d'Agrò

The setting for the event is one of Sicily's most fascinating monuments: the Abbey of Santi Pietro e Paolo d'Agrò, a masterpiece of Arab-Norman architecture nestled in the greenery of the valley. During the fair, the abbey opens its doors to visitors, who can attend solemn masses and admire the building that served as the spiritual center of the territory for centuries.

Culture, music, and tradition

Beyond gastronomy, the program offers moments of significant cultural and community value:

• the parish choir festival in the evocative nave of the abbey;
• musical events featuring local singer-songwriters;
• the solemn Holy Mass in honor of Saints Peter and Paul;
• activities for children and entertainment;
• awards ceremonies for contests related to village decor, such as the "Flowered Neighborhood" competition.

An identity-defining event

For the community of Casalvecchio Siculo, the Saint Peter Fair is more than just a food festival; it is a moment of rediscovery of their roots. Faith, history, cuisine, and hospitality blend together over three days that, for over five centuries, have marked the end of June in the Agrò Valley, bridging the municipalities of the Messina province and the heart of Sicilian popular tradition.