Historical Fair of Sant'Agata di Militello (autumn edition)

A fair with over three centuries of history

The Historical Fair of Sant'Agata di Militello is one of the oldest and most iconic market events in Sicily. Its founding act dates back to July 28, 1700, when Don Gaetano Gallego Ventimiglia, Prince of Militello and Marquis of Sant'Agata, granted the right to hold the fair. Originally, merchants gathered along the seafront near an ancient defense tower, and the fair served as a crucial economic hub for all the Nebrodi towns. Today, the event is still held twice a year, with a spring session in April and an autumn session in November, along the town's historic seafront.

The rural soul of the autumn edition

The autumn session, which traditionally falls in mid-November, has never lost its rural character. The livestock sector remains a prominent feature, with traditional displays of sheep, cattle, pigs, and horses, but the offering has expanded significantly over the years. Today, visitors can find agricultural products, local handicrafts, and Nebrodi food and wine specialties, alongside a wide variety of goods that turn the fair into a massive open-air market.

Tradition, carriages, and horses

Beyond the market stalls, the Historical Fair maintains a strong link to the region's equestrian traditions: during the event, one can admire carriages, carts, and horses that evoke the fair's ancient vocation. The event is a social occasion and a celebration for the entire Sant'Agata community and for visitors arriving from nearby Nebrodi towns and across the province of Messina.

On the seafront of Sant'Agata di Militello

The setting is the seafront of Sant'Agata di Militello, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea in the heart of the Nebrodi coast in the province of Messina, Sicily. During the fair, the municipality implements a dedicated traffic plan, with one-way streets, transit bans, and reserved parking areas to manage the influx of exhibitors and visitors. The event, organized by the Municipality of Sant'Agata di Militello, enjoys great success every year.

An unmissable autumn appointment

The autumn session of the Historical Fair is a staple of the social and economic calendar of Sant'Agata di Militello: an opportunity to rediscover the rural culture of the Nebrodi, purchase local and artisanal products, and experience the atmosphere of a fair that has accompanied the life of the town for over three centuries.