Fiera di Santa Elisabetta – Sagra dal Dindiat

A fair born from an imperial decree

In Romans d'Isonzo, in the province of Gorizia, the Fiera di Santa Elisabetta has its roots in 1834, when Emperor Francis I of Austria granted the town the right to hold an agricultural fair-market. Since then, the event has never stopped, spanning almost two centuries of history and reaching its 192nd edition in 2026: one of the longest-running fairs in all of Friuli Venezia Giulia.

Dedicated to Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, the fair is traditionally held in November, around the saint's feast day, transforming the town into a major meeting point between peasant tradition and popular celebration.

The Sagra dal Dindiat and the giant turkey

The true star is the dindiat, the turkey in the local dialect. The Sagra dal Dindiat culminates in the spectacular giant turkey weight competition: breeders present their most impressive specimens, and whoever brings the heaviest bird receives the trophy. A challenge that has made Romans d'Isonzo famous worldwide, earning it three entries in the Guinness World Records, with a record set in 2008 at over 32 kilos.

The turkey is also the star of the table, with typical dishes prepared by the Pro Loco (local tourist board) and the town's associations, such as the Associazione Culturale Gli Amici del Quaiat.

Funfair, markets, and Habsburg tradition

The fair retains its 19th-century charm combined with modern attractions: a funfair, market stalls, animal exhibitions, concerts, fire-eater and juggler shows, group dances, and children's workshops. A particularly cherished moment is the reading of the imperial document that commemorates the fair's Habsburg origins, a symbol of the town's connection to its history.

A celebration for the whole community

Organized by the Pro Loco of Romans d'Isonzo with the support of the Municipality of Romans d'Isonzo and local associations, the Fiera di Santa Elisabetta is more than just a market: it is a living testament to a community that has gathered around its agricultural roots for almost two hundred years.