Freedom Fair

A festival celebrating freedom

The Freedom Fair is one of the most cherished and defining events in Pieve Fosciana, a small town in the Garfagnana region, in the province of Lucca (Tuscany). It is traditionally held on Divine Mercy Sunday (the Sunday after Easter) and commemorates a pivotal event for the entire Lucca territory: on April 8, 1369, Emperor Charles IV of Bohemia liberated Lucca and its lands from Pisan domination. Since then, throughout the Lucchesia area, the Sunday after Easter has been remembered as "Freedom Sunday," and in Pieve Fosciana, the occasion has evolved into a grand spring fair.

Two days of festivities in the heart of the village

For two days, the historic center of Pieve Fosciana transforms into a large open-air market. Along the streets and squares of the village, you will find over a hundred stalls, featuring local merchants, community associations, and numerous food stands where you can savor the typical products of Garfagnana. The fair is generally open from morning until evening, from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, enlivening the entire town and attracting visitors from across the valley.

The livestock show and Garfagnana breeds

The heart of the event is the traditional livestock exhibition, organized in collaboration with the Union of Garfagnana Municipalities, which showcases the region's agricultural excellence. Key highlights include native breeds such as the Garfagnina cattle and the Garfagnina Bianca sheep, representing an agricultural and pastoral tradition deeply rooted in the mountains of Lucca.

Culture, education, and entertainment

Alongside the market and livestock show, the Freedom Fair offers cultural activities and family-friendly entertainment. Piazza degli Alpini hosts a funfair for children, while recent editions have been enriched by an exhibition of school drawings themed "Freedom Today / Freedom Yesterday." A must-visit is the MuGAr, the Archaeological Museum of Garfagnana housed in the former convent of Sant'Anna, which remains open during the fair to share thousands of years of local history.

A community tradition

The Freedom Fair blends civic and historical significance with the religious observance of the Most Holy Annunciation, marking the transition from winter to spring. More than just a commercial fair, it is a collective ritual where the identity of Pieve Fosciana and Garfagnana comes to life, attracting residents, returning emigrants, and visitors curious to discover one of the most authentic corners of Tuscany.