Carolingian Fair of Asti

A millennial fair in the heart of Asti

The Carolingian Fair is one of the most cherished and traditional events in the Asti calendar. It takes place every year in the historic center of Asti, the capital of the province of the same name in Piedmont, on the first non-holiday Wednesday following the feast of the patron saint, San Secondo. It is considered one of the largest, longest-running, and most important fairs in all of Piedmont.

Origins and the Carolingian legend

The name of the fair refers to Charlemagne: according to tradition, the emperor granted Asti the privilege of holding its own fair twice a year, the ancestor of the current Carolingian Fair. As early as the late 14th century, the Codice Catenato attested to a large annual fair that began eight days before the feast of San Secondo and ended eight days after. The event in its modern form was established in 1810 by the Napoleonic government, a testament to the strong commercial vocation that Asti has cultivated over the centuries.

Over six hundred stalls

On the day of the fair, the streets and squares of the center are filled with over six hundred stalls selling every type of merchandise. Alongside public commercial vendors, hobbyists and local agricultural producers offer typical products and local specialties. The fair occupies the heart of the city:

• Piazza San Secondo, Piazza Statuto, Piazza Libertà, and Piazza Alfieri
• the alleys connecting them
• the first section of Corso Dante and Corso Alfieri up to Piazza Primo Maggio
• Viale alla Vittoria

For the occasion, traffic in the center is completely reorganized, with road closures and public transport modifications to allow for the setup of the stalls.

San Secondo, the market, and the funfair

The Carolingian Fair is the highlight of the celebrations in honor of San Secondo, the patron saint of Asti, which animate the city in early May alongside the famous Palio. The traditional Wednesday market is held simultaneously in Piazza del Palio, while the San Secondo Funfair remains active for several days, providing entertainment for families and children. It is a day that combines commerce, tradition, and popular celebration, deeply rooted in the identity of the Asti community.