Rievocazione Storica della Repubblica di Cospaia
The festival of the anarchist micro-state without laws or armies, homeland of tobacco in Italy
About Repubblica di Cospaia
The most unique Republic in Italy
The Republic of Cospaia is one of the most curious episodes 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 anarchic 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 reenactment 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 reenactment recalls this identity with the 'contraband' market, cigar and pipe stands, and the Historical and Scientific Museum of Tobacco.
A street festival, theatre, and flavours
The event, promoted by the Pro Loco of Cospaia and the Municipality of San Giustino with local associations, combines street artists, costumed historical figures, theatrical performances with dance, a treasure hunt for children, the 'smuggler's trek' along the paths, show cooking, and tastings of traditional cuisine. A wooden coin, made with the involvement of local schools, is minted for exchanges at the stands. An original way to discover a little-known corner of the Upper Tiber Valley and a unique page of history.
Repubblica di Cospaia — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Historical Reenactment of the Republic of Cospaia is scheduled for the end of June in the hamlet of San Giustino. The established format of the festival includes the 'contraband' market, cigar and pipe stands, street artists, and costumed historical figures, theatrical performances with dance, a treasure hunt for children, the 'smuggler's trek,' and show cooking and tasting events, with the usual wooden coin for exchanges. Dates and detailed program to be confirmed by the Pro Loco of Cospaia and the Municipality of San Giustino in the weeks prior.
Programme Repubblica di Cospaia 2026
The detailed 2026 program will be published by the Pro Loco of Cospaia. The typical structure of the reenactment, spread over several days, includes:
- 'Contraband' market and cigar and pipe stands along the village streets
- Street artists and costumed historical figures
- Treasure hunt for children
- 'Smuggler's trek' along the paths
- Theatrical performance with dance ('Impossible Interviews in Cospaia')
- Show cooking and tasting of traditional cuisine
- Concert and moments dedicated to the history of the republic at the Historical and Scientific Museum of Tobacco
The wooden coin minted with local schools is used for purchases at the stands.
Highlights Repubblica di Cospaia 2026
Prices Repubblica di Cospaia 2026
Practical information — Repubblica di Cospaia
How to get there
Cospaia is a hamlet of San Giustino (Perugia), in the Upper Tiber Valley on the border with 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 — Repubblica di Cospaia
Cospaia, frazione di San Giustino