Historical Re-enactment of the Republic of Cospaia
The festival of the anarchist micro-state without laws or armies, homeland of tobacco in Italy
About Republic of Cospaia
The most unique Republic in Italy
The Republic of Cospaia is one of the most curious events in Italian history: for almost four centuries, from 1441 to 1826, this strip of land between the Papal States and the Grand Duchy of Tuscany was an anarchist micro-state, without laws, without prisons, and without armies, born from an error in the borders marked along a stream. Today Cospaia is a small hamlet of San Giustino, in the province of Perugia, but the memory of that freedom survives in the historical re-enactment held there every year.
The homeland of tobacco
Precisely the absence of duties and prohibitions made Cospaia famous as the homeland of the first tobacco cultivated in Italy: the 'erba tornabuona' became the republic's main economic resource and fueled a flourishing trade for centuries, including smuggling. The re-enactment recalls this identity with the contraband market, cigar and pipe stands, and the Historical and Scientific Museum of Tobacco.
A street festival of theatre and flavours
The event, promoted by the Pro Loco of Cospaia and the Municipality of San Giustino with local associations, combines street artists, figures in period costumes, theatrical performances with dance, a treasure hunt for children, 'smuggler's trekking' along the paths, show cooking, and traditional cuisine tastings. A wooden coin, made with the involvement of local schools, is minted for exchanges at the stands. It's an original way to discover a little-known corner of the Upper Tiber Valley and a unique page of history.
Republic of Cospaia — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Historical Re-enactment of the Republic of Cospaia is scheduled for the end of June in the hamlet of San Giustino. The established structure of the festival includes the contraband market, cigar and pipe stands, street artists, and figures in period costumes, theatrical performances with dance, a treasure hunt for children, 'smuggler's trekking', and show cooking and tasting events, with the usual wooden coin for exchanges. Detailed dates and program will be confirmed by the Pro Loco of Cospaia and the Municipality of San Giustino in the preceding weeks.
Programme Republic of Cospaia 2026
The detailed 2026 program will be published by the Pro Loco of Cospaia. The typical structure of the re-enactment, spread over several days, includes:
- Contraband market and cigar and pipe stands along the village streets
- Street artists and figures in period costumes
- Treasure hunt for children
- Smuggler's trekking along the paths
- Theatrical performance with dance ('Impossible Interviews at Cospaia')
- Show cooking and tasting of traditional cuisine
- Concert and moments dedicated to the republic's history at the Historical and Scientific Museum of Tobacco
For purchases at the stands, the wooden coin minted with local schools is used.
Highlights Republic of Cospaia 2026
Prices Republic of Cospaia 2026
Practical information — Republic of Cospaia
How to get there
Cospaia is a hamlet of San Giustino (Perugia), in the Upper Tiber Valley bordering Tuscany. By car: E45 Cesena-Perugia, San Giustino exit, then follow signs for Cospaia.
When
In spring/summer. Dates vary from year to year.
Information
Pro Loco of Cospaia and Municipality of San Giustino — repubblicadicospaia.it.
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Where does it take place — Republic of Cospaia
Cospaia, frazione di San Giustino