Antica Sagra di Salionze
The sagra and historical reenactment of the meeting between Pope Leo and Attila
About Sagra di Salionze
Where history meets the village festival
The Antica Sagra di Salionze takes place in Salionze, a hamlet of Valeggio sul Mincio in the province of Verona, at the town's sports facilities. It is one of the most characteristic sagre (village festivals) of the Garda hinterland because it combines a popular festival with a historical event of European significance.
The meeting between Pope Leo and Attila
According to tradition, it was precisely in Salionze, on the banks of the Mincio river, that in 452 AD Pope Leo the Great met Attila, King of the Huns, convincing him to stop his devastating advance and retreat. Historical studies, including research by Professor Vandelli based on testimonies and archaeological findings—including the route of the Gallica, the ancient Roman road connecting Milan and Verona—have helped to locate the episode here. The sagra makes this event its core identity.
The costumed reenactment
The most anticipated moment is the grand historical reenactment, staged by about fifty extras and forty knights who reconstruct the Hunnic encampment. Amidst banquets, ceremonial parades, archery contests, and period costume duels, the spectacle concludes with a spectacular fireworks display.
The popular festival
Alongside the reenactment, the sagra offers the evenings of a true village festival: food stalls open from 8 PM with traditional dishes, grilled meats, wines, and beer, live music and dancing, and a non-competitive cycling race. The organization is handled by the local association I Salionzesi, which keeps this tradition alive every year.
Sagra di Salionze — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Antica Sagra di Salionze will again take place in mid-July in Salionze, a hamlet of Valeggio sul Mincio, continuing the tradition of combining a village festival with historical reenactment. The event is expected over four days, following the pattern of previous editions (in 2024, from July 12th to 15th).
The program includes evening food stalls, live music and dancing, a cycling race, and the grand costumed reenactment of the meeting between Pope Leo the Great and Attila, culminating in a fireworks display. Exact dates and detailed program will be released by the association I Salionzesi closer to the event.
Programme Sagra di Salionze 2026
Based on recent editions, the festival's schedule includes:
- Friday and Saturday — Food stalls open from 8 PM with traditional dishes, grilled meats, wines, and beer; live music and dancing evenings;
- Sunday — Non-competitive cycling race and continuation of the festivities;
- Monday evening — Grand costumed historical reenactment of the meeting between Pope Leo the Great and Attila, with a Hunnic encampment, banquets, archery, and duels, followed by the final fireworks display.
Definitive 2026 dates and details to come.
Highlights Sagra di Salionze 2026
The highlight is the costumed reenactment of the meeting between Pope Leo the Great and Attila, featuring around 50 extras and 40 knights, concluding with the fireworks display.
Prices Sagra di Salionze 2026
Practical information — Sagra di Salionze
How to get there
Salionze is a hamlet of Valeggio sul Mincio (VR), in the hinterland of Lake Garda, reachable by car from the SP for Valeggio/Peschiera. Postal code 37067. The sagra is held at the sports facilities.
When
Mid-July, over four days (Friday to Monday). Food stalls open from 8 PM.
Admission
Free admission; food and drinks at the stalls are paid.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Sagra di Salionze
Impianti sportivi di Salionze