Pietre Gemelle Fair

A fair that opens the alpine grazing season

The Pietre Gemelle Fair is the spring livestock fair held in Riva Valdobbia, a village in the municipality of Alagna Valsesia, in the province of Vercelli, in the heart of the upper Valsesia valley at the foot of Monte Rosa (Piedmont). Symbolically set for June 2nd, coinciding with Republic Day, the event marks the start of the summer season and serves as a symbolic send-off for the herds heading to high-altitude pastures.

The herds take center stage

The heart of the day is the gathering of the herds: the animals arrive in the village at a steady pace, wearing polished cowbells and crowns of flowers, in a slow procession that evokes an ancient ritual and the identity of the mountain community. Visitors can admire breeds typical of the Alpine arc, from Brown Alpine to Piedmontese, from Valdostana to Grey Alpine, as well as goats and sheep. Surrounding the livestock is a small world of local flavors, crafts, and traditions.

Walser flavors and crafts

The fair is also an opportunity to discover an authentic piece of the Walser culture that defines the upper Valsesia. Throughout the "G. Severina" Sports Center area in the Sesietta locality, you will find:

• alpine cheeses, tomas, and goat cheeses;
• miacce, traditional Valsesian wafers;
• honey, cured meats, and local specialties;
• wood artisans and local producers;
• stalls selling mountain equipment (walking sticks, leather footwear, outdoor clothing).

Tradition and community

Organized by the Municipality of Alagna Valsesia together with the Mountain Union of Valsesia Municipalities and in collaboration with the local Pro Loco associations of Alagna and Riva, the Pietre Gemelle Fair celebrates the rural world, livestock farms, and the valley's produce. More than just a fair, it is a festive moment that brings together breeders, families, and visitors in an alpine landscape of rare beauty, where transhumance still sets the rhythm of mountain life.