Antica Fiera di San Michele di Loreo

Eight centuries of history

The Antica Fiera di San Michele di Loreo is the third oldest fair in the Veneto region, after those in Verona and Vicenza. Its roots date back to the Late Middle Ages: originally a cattle fair, it is now the main event in the calendar for Loreo, in the province of Rovigo, in the heart of the Veneto Delta del Po Regional Park. The occasion is linked to Saint Michael the Archangel, celebrated on September 29th.

The Serenissima re-enactment

The core identity of the fair is the Venetian historical re-enactment curated by the Castrum Laureti group: the arrival of Doge Pietro Ziani in Loreo to preside over the flag-raising ceremony of the Serenissima, the medieval village, the historical procession, the "Convivio del Canal" with musicians and jesters, ladies and knights who bring the village back to the atmosphere of the Dogado.

Market, funfair, and fireworks

Alongside the re-enactment, the fair offers:

• a large open-air market and typical products;
• the permanent funfair;
• tastings of local specialties;
• sports, artistic, and musical performances;
• fireworks to conclude the celebrations.

Experiencing the Antica Fiera di San Michele means immersing yourself in a centuries-old tradition, where the history of the Serenissima and the soul of the Po Delta merge into one of the most cherished festivals in the Polesine region.