Pianadetto Horse Fair

An equestrian tradition that comes from afar

The Pianadetto Horse Fair is one of the most deeply rooted events in the late summer-autumn season of the Parma Apennines. It takes place in the hamlet of Pianadetto, in the Municipality of Monchio delle Corti (Province of Parma, Emilia-Romagna), in a large mountain meadow that for a weekend becomes the realm of the horse. The event has its roots in the ancient Pianadetto livestock fair, once an unmissable appointment for breeders, muleteers, and mountain workers who came up here to buy, sell, and trade animals.

Horses, riders, and breeders of the upper Parma Valley

Today, the fair retains its zootechnical vocation but has transformed into a popular festival open to everyone. The protagonists remain the horses and the breeders of the upper Parma Valley, with specimens of Apennine and working breeds parading in the field. Among the most popular activities are the saddle baptism for the little ones, equestrian performances and demonstrations, as well as the presence of riders from all along the Tuscan-Emilian ridge.

Market, gastronomy, and village festival

Around the horse area, a market develops with stalls of typical products, crafts, and riding equipment, while the gastronomic stands offer the flavors of the Parma mountains. It is a day designed for families, with entertainment for children and the genuine atmosphere of Apennine village festivals.

In the heart of the National Park

The fair is held within the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park, in a territory of ridges, glacial lakes, and high-altitude pastures. Monchio delle Corti, where nature meets poetry, is one of the most picturesque villages in the high Parma mountains, and the Horse Fair is an opportunity to discover it during its most vibrant period. The event is sponsored by the Parchi del Ducato, the Province of Parma, and the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park.