Ascension Fair (La Fiera de la Hensa)

An ancient fair in the heart of the valley

In Capo di Ponte, in the heart of Valle Camonica (province of Brescia), the Ascension Fair is one of the most deeply rooted traditional events. Known in the Camunian dialect as La Fiera de la Hensa, it is linked to the religious feast of the Ascension and has its roots in the peasant and mercantile culture of the Alpine valleys, when fairs marked the rhythm of farm work and trade.

Tradition, community, and identity

More than just a market, the Fiera de la Hensa is described as "a moment of gathering that celebrates tradition, community, and the identity of the territory". For one day, the town comes alive with stalls and exhibitors, featuring local products, crafts, and opportunities for social interaction. It is the quintessential spring fair, the time when the community of Capo di Ponte comes together and renews a collective ritual passed down through generations.

Capo di Ponte and the Valley of the Signs

The fair is set within the unique context of Capo di Ponte, the capital of rock art in Valle Camonica, where the engraving parks – a UNESCO World Heritage site – bear witness to millennia of human presence. Visiting the Ascension Fair also means discovering this extraordinary territory, with its engraved rocks, Romanesque churches, and the alpine landscape of the middle Valle Camonica.

A spring event

Promoted by the Municipality of Capo di Ponte, the Fiera de la Hensa returns every year coinciding with the Ascension Day, confirming itself as one of the most cherished traditional events for the local population. An opportunity to experience the town in its most authentic and communal dimension.