Fiera di San Michele

A Fair Five Centuries Old

The Fiera di San Michele is one of the oldest and most emblematic events in Tirano, in Valtellina, province of Sondrio. Its origins date back to 1514, when the Bishop of Chur and the Graubünden government granted the city the right to organize a large agricultural and commercial market linked to the feast of St. Michael. It is, in fact, one of the oldest fairs in the entire Alpine region.

The Commercial Heart of Valtellina

Over the centuries, the fair quickly became the most important commercial event in the valley, transforming Tirano into its economic and social center. In its heyday, it could last up to fifteen days, taking on the character of a true international trade fair, with the "fairground" dedicated to the buying and selling of livestock and shops around the sanctuary.

The 'Scudo di San Michele'

Among the most beloved traditions of the fair is the sale of the 'Scudo di San Michele', a typical sweet bread that has accompanied this day for generations and which many locals buy as a symbol of the event. Alongside the food stalls, there is the hobbyist market and stands selling various products, which today animate the main streets of the city — from Piazza Basilica to Viale Italia, and down Via Elvezia.

Tirano, a City of Fairs and Pilgrimages

Tirano has always been a crossroads between Italy and Switzerland: the terminus of the Bernina Red Train, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and home to the famous Sanctuary of the Madonna di Tirano, the city retains a strong tradition of fairs. The Fiera di San Michele is the oldest and most prestigious testament to this, an event that continues to attract visitors from all over the valley in the latter part of September.