Salacca Festival

A tradition spanning centuries

The Salacca Festival is one of the most heartfelt events in the popular calendar of San Giovanni Valdarno, in the province of Arezzo, in the heart of Tuscany. It takes place every year on Ash Wednesday, immediately following Shrove Tuesday, marking the symbolic transition from Carnival to Lent. It is a festival with ancient origins, deeply tied to the identity of the Oltrarno district and the peasant memory of the Valdarno region.

Why the salacca?

The festival's name refers to the salacca, a fish similar to herring but cheaper and less prized. For centuries, it represented the only non-Arno fish accessible to the inhabitants of inland Tuscany. During the lean days imposed by religious tradition, and particularly on Ash Wednesday—a day dedicated to fasting and abstinence from meat—the salacca became the signature dish: a humble food that communities transformed into an occasion for conviviality and collective celebration.

The papier-mâché salacca

A curious detail perfectly captures the spirit of the event. In the past, the festival concluded with the burning of a large papier-mâché salacca, built specifically for the occasion. Over the years, these papier-mâché creations have become so beautiful that, as they say in San Giovanni, no one has the heart to burn them anymore: a sign of how much popular art and attachment to tradition have grown around this festival.

Where it takes place

The heart of the festival is the Arno floodplains, along the right bank of the river, near Via 7 Fratelli Cervi in the Oltrarno district. In case of bad weather, the event moves to Viale Giotto, near the bridge named after Hypatia of Alexandria. It is a short walk from the historic center of San Giovanni Valdarno, the birthplace of the painter Masaccio and one of the most characteristic villages in the Arezzo Valdarno.

What to find at the festival

Along the stalls, you can taste typical gastronomic specialties and a wide variety of sweets from the traditional Tuscan fair circuit. The most beloved attraction, especially for children, remains the candied apple, alongside brittle, brigidini, gummy candies, morettini, marshmallows, as well as sandwiches, schiacciate, and French fries. There is no shortage of entertainment and activities dedicated to children, making the festival a perfect outing for the whole family.

A community celebration

Organized by the Pro Loco of San Giovanni Valdarno with the patronage of the Municipality of San Giovanni Valdarno, the Salacca Festival is much more than a food fair: it is a moment when the Oltrarno district gathers around its own history, rediscovering the flavors and customs of the past. An unmissable stop for those who want to experience authentic, popular Tuscany, far from the usual tourist circuits.