Ancient Saint Martin Fair

A centuries-old fair in the heart of Sannio

The Ancient Saint Martin Fair is the signature event of Solopaca, a town in the province of Benevento overlooking the Telesina Valley in Campania. The fair is deeply rooted in the feast of the patron saint, Saint Martin of Tours, celebrated on November 11th—a fixed date that has shaped the life of this village for centuries. Locally described as "centuries-old," its original purpose was purely practical: on the patron's day, stalls would display everything from clothing and household goods to agricultural tools and the classic coppeta, a traditional sweet still enjoyed today.

The route: from Via Procusi to Piazza San Martino

The fair follows its historic path, stretching along Via Procusi and climbing up to the current Piazza San Martino, crossing the town's historic center. In recent years, the Pro Loco Solopaca has complemented the traditional mercantile fair with a weekend of cultural and gastronomic initiatives. As a result, the traditional November 11th stalls now coexist with markets, tastings, and performances held on the preceding days, typically from Saturday afternoon through Sunday evening.

New wine, local products, and craftsmanship

Solopaca is, above all, a land of wine. Its name is tied to the local appellation and the historic Cantina di Solopaca, which participates in the fair's food and wine trail by offering tastings of new wine. Alongside local wineries, the MEG (Museum of Food and Wine of Solopaca) collaborates with the Pro Loco to organize the culinary aspects of the event. The fair route features:

• markets showcasing typical products and crafts from the Sannio region;
• wine and local food tasting stations;
• the Trunk Fair (Fiera del Bagagliaio), a flea market and swap meet held in car trunks;
• roasted chestnuts and traditional peasant sweets;
• stalls selling clothing, household items, and agricultural equipment, representing the oldest soul of the fair.

Exhibitions, music, and entertainment

The cultural program evolves annually but follows a well-established format: photography and painting exhibitions in municipal spaces, guided tours of the historic center and the stone mill at Palazzo Cusani, children's entertainment in the municipal gardens with inflatables and cotton candy, and street performers along the fair route. Among the most unique offerings are the astronomical observations using telescopes from the Sannio Astronomical Observatory. Musically, local folk traditions are represented by groups like the PerBacco Solopaca Folkband, while the Town Hall council chamber hosts meetings, literary reviews, and events like the Cantasolopaca replay.

Two Saint Martins

In Solopaca, the patron saint is celebrated twice a year: the first Sunday of July commemorates Martin's election as bishop, featuring a summer procession through the main streets, while November 11th marks the actual patronal feast associated with the Ancient Fair. This double celebration is typical of many Southern Italian towns and explains why the November fair retains its unique blend of religious, agricultural, and commercial character.

A village to discover

Visitors arriving for the fair will find a rural village at the foot of the Taburno Camposauro massif, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. The timing—early November—coincides with the arrival of new wine and the end of the harvest cycle, the moment when the proverb "at Saint Martin's, every must becomes wine" finds its most concrete application. The fair is thus an opportunity to understand the agricultural year of this part of inland Campania, where vines coexist with olives and livestock farming.

The 2026 edition

As of the writing of this guide, the Pro Loco Solopaca has not yet published the dates and program for the 2026 edition. The patronal feast remains fixed on November 11th, but the fair days and side events are usually announced only a few weeks in advance. It is advisable to check the official channels of the Pro Loco and the Municipality of Solopaca before planning your trip.