Markusmarkt / St. Mark's Fair

One of the oldest fairs in South Tyrol

The Markusmarkt, known in Italian as Fiera di San Marco (St. Mark's Fair), is a staple of the calendar in Ora (known as Auer in German), a municipality in the Bassa Atesina area of the Province of Bolzano, in the heart of Trentino-South Tyrol. Held every year on April 25th, the day dedicated to St. Mark the Evangelist, its roots stretch back to the mid-1700s. Originally a major livestock market, the fair has evolved over the centuries into a general commercial event without losing its popular, traditional spirit.

Two hundred stalls in the town center

For an entire day, the historic center of Ora becomes a vast open-air market. Approximately two hundred stalls (the municipality authorizes up to 348) line the Main Square and Via Stazione, offering everything from clothing, homeware, and gifts to local handicrafts and South Tyrolean gastronomic specialties. It is a perfect opportunity for residents and visitors alike to stroll through the stalls in search of bargains or authentic local products.

The Frühschoppen, the convivial heart of the day

The most anticipated moment is the Frühschoppen at 10:00 AM: the typical South Tyrolean "morning pint" featuring Weisswurst (white sausages), pretzels, and double-malt beer, often accompanied by traditional Tyrolean music. This is when the fair truly becomes a village festival, a social gathering that reflects the dual Italian and German identity of the Bassa Atesina region.

A landmark event for the Bassa Atesina

Thanks to its centuries-old history and scale, the Markusmarkt in Ora is considered one of the premier traditional fairs in South Tyrol. It falls on a symbolic date for the entire Venetian and Alpine cultural area—St. Mark's Day—and attracts a large crowd every year from neighboring towns in the Province of Bolzano and beyond. Admission is free, and the fair takes place outdoors in the heart of the spring season.