Fiera del Cavaliere

The great August fair of the Piana del Cavaliere

The Fiera del Cavaliere is one of the most anticipated summer events in the Piana del Cavaliere, the vast plain marking the western border of Abruzzo with Lazio, in the municipality of Oricola, in the province of L'Aquila. Every second Sunday of August, the event transforms the hamlet of Civita di Oricola into a long open-air market stretching over two kilometers along the old Via Tiburtina, attracting visitors from across the Marsica region and surrounding areas.

A tradition rooted in 1899

The Fiera del Cavaliere has ancient origins: the first editions date back to 1899, when the event was primarily dedicated to the trade of livestock and household or agricultural tools. In a territory with a strong agricultural and pastoral vocation, the fair represented a fundamental economic moment for the inhabitants of the plain and nearby villages, who gathered to trade animals, seeds, and equipment. Over more than a century of history, the event has successfully renewed itself while maintaining its popular character, evolving from an agricultural and livestock fair into a large market fair dedicated to all types of goods.

What to find at the fair

Along the ancient route of the Tiburtina, stalls of all kinds are lined up, managed by itinerant merchants from across the region. Among the stalls, you can find:

• local products and gastronomic specialties;
• household goods, homeware, and home decor;
• clothing, footwear, and accessories;
• curiosities, gift items, and small crafts.

The long walk among the stalls, dedicated to shopping and socializing, has been a tradition for years for entire families from the Piana del Cavaliere and the neighboring towns of Pereto, Rocca di Botte, and Carsoli.

In the evening, the Gnocchi Festival

The fair day traditionally concludes with the Gnocchi Festival, organized by the Pro Loco of Civita di Oricola in Piazza San Pio da Pietrelcina. Potato gnocchi, prepared by hand according to the local recipe, are served in the square amidst music, shows, and entertainment for all ages, extending the festivities late into the evening. Together, the fair and the festival make this August Sunday one of the most popular events of the Marsica summer.

A defining event for the territory

More than just a market fair, the Fiera del Cavaliere is a moment of identity for the Piana del Cavaliere community: an opportunity for gathering, commerce, and social interaction that unites rural tradition with village life. In recent years, the organization has been entrusted to the Associazione Culturale Una Piazza per Curiosare, which manages the fair in collaboration with the Municipality of Oricola, the civil protection service, and local associations.