Il Mercato delle Gaite
Bevagna's grand medieval reenactment among the four Gaite
About Mercato delle Gaite
Bevagna Returns to the Middle Ages
Il Mercato delle Gaite is one of the most accurate and fascinating medieval reenactments in Italy. Every year, at the end of June, Bevagna — ancient Roman Mevania, in the province of Perugia — meticulously reconstructs the life of the communal city between 1250 and 1350. The village is divided into four Gaite (historic districts): San Giovanni, San Giorgio, Santa Maria, and San Pietro.
The Four Contests
The Gaite compete throughout the year in preparation for four contests: the Crafts Competition (Artes Gaitarum), where each Gaita showcases medieval artisan workshops; the Gastronomy Competition, with dishes recreated from period recipe books; the Market Competition; and the Historical Archery Competition. The workshops reproduce crafts such as the production of bamboo paper, candle making, glass blowing, minting, silk production, dyeing, hydraulic sawing, and the scriptorium.
A Village Transformed into a Medieval City
Along the streets of the center, medieval taverns with period cuisine open, along with public markets featuring artisans, street performances by jugglers and artists, concerts of ancient music, workshops, exhibitions, and historical parades. Among Umbria's major reenactments, Il Mercato delle Gaite is organized by the Associazione Mercato delle Gaite with the Municipality of Bevagna and represents the deepest identity of this corner of the Umbrian valley.
Mercato delle Gaite — edition 2026
The 2026 Mercato delle Gaite is dedicated to the 800th anniversary of Saint Francis' death. The event opens with the Medieval Banquet on June 1st (8:30 PM, Piazza Filippo Silvestri) on the theme "Laudato Sii - In the Time of Brother Francis", before coming alive from June 17 to 28 with the four Gaite — San Giovanni, San Giorgio, Santa Maria, and San Pietro — engaged in competitions and the reconstruction of 14th-century Bevagna.
Programme Mercato delle Gaite 2026
Key Dates
- June 1, 8:30 PM — Medieval Banquet in Piazza Filippo Silvestri, theme "Laudato Sii - In the Time of Brother Francis"
- June 17-28 — Mercato delle Gaite: workshops, taverns, markets, and contests
The Eight Medieval Crafts in Competition
- Ceramics, glassblowing, mint
- Production of bamboo paper and hemp
- Silk (silk production), hydraulic sawing
- Dyeing and scriptorium
The Four Contests
- Crafts Competition (Artes Gaitarum)
- Gastronomy Competition (one traditional dish per Gaita)
- Market Competition
- Historical Archery Competition
On the final weekend, four public markets with artisans open. Four medieval taverns offer period cuisine. The detailed day-by-day program and the complete PDF are published on the official website ilmercatodellegaite.it.
Highlights Mercato delle Gaite 2026
Prices Mercato delle Gaite 2026
Practical information — Mercato delle Gaite
How to Get There
Bevagna can be reached by car via the SS3 Flaminia or the SS316 dei Monti Martani; exit at Foligno from the SS75. The nearest train station is Foligno, on the Rome-Ancona line, from which you can continue by bus. Parking is available outside the walls.
Taverns and Tickets
The four medieval taverns offer period cuisine; reservations are recommended. For the program, schedules, and tickets, consult the official website ilmercatodellegaite.it.
Contacts
Associazione Mercato delle Gaite — [email protected] — tel. 0742 361847.
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Where does it take place — Mercato delle Gaite
Centro storico di Bevagna
Piazza Filippo Silvestri, 06031 Bevagna