San Giacomo Fair — Historical Re-enactment of Marzano Appio

The oldest fair in Campania

In 1299, the King of Naples Charles II of Anjou granted the University of Marzano — the ancient name of the municipality of Marzano Appio, in the province of Caserta — the privilege of holding a weekly market every Wednesday and a four-day annual fair for the feast of Saint James the Apostle on July 25th. That document gave birth to what is considered the oldest fair in Campania, still a vibrant part of the Alto Casertano calendar and recognized as one of the area's strongest identity markers.

The fair was originally held at Largo delle Corregge, at a crossroads of ancient roads near the Via Latina, where merchant traffic was intense even in Roman times: local tradition traces its most remote origins to a salt fair near the lake of Corree. In 1765, the event was moved to the center of Grottola, the municipal seat, near the Largo della Santissima Annunziata, where it still takes place today.

The Mastro Mercato, a symbolic figure

The central character of the event is the Mastro Mercato. In the medieval legal system, he was the head of the University of Marzano and, for the duration of the fair and the seven days before and after, he exercised civil and criminal jurisdiction over the entire market. His investiture took place in the presence of the population and authorities «armed for the decorum of said Fair», who accompanied the castle's banner to the traditional gathering place.

In the contemporary re-enactment, the role is entrusted to the incumbent mayor, who wears period clothing and publicly reads the ancient privileges and chapters of the fair. It is the most anticipated moment of the evening: a simple gesture that renews the collective memory of a community that recognizes itself in its own history every year.

Historical pageant and the court of Marino Marzano

After the reading of the privileges, the historical pageant forms, crossing the streets of the town center to Piazza Mercato with figures in medieval costume, flag-wavers, swordsmen, and historical groups invited from all over Campania. The narrative thread is the story of the Marzano family, a powerful feudal dynasty of the South: the theatrical performances staged in recent years recount the intrigues, alliances, and splendor of the court of Count Marino Marzano, a key figure in the events of the Kingdom of Naples in the 15th century.

Archery between the town center and hamlets

Alongside the re-enactment, the evening features an archery contest, which pits teams from the town center against those of the municipality's hamlets. It is the most participatory and lighthearted part of the festival, truly involving the villages scattered across the hills of Marzano Appio:

• Capoluogo and Cardoni
• Campagnola
• San Lorenzo and Sarcioni
• Ameglio and Pigne
• Carangi, Terracorpo, Macini and Torello
• Tuoro Funaro, Tuorocasale and Piedi Tuoro

Stalls, crafts, and flavors of the Alto Casertano

The fair's original vocation remains intact: in the afternoon, traditional stalls open with crafts, antiques, and local products, while in the evening, food and wine stands begin service. Among the specialties that have always accompanied the fair are marinated fish — a dish historically linked to this event — and fried desserts prepared by local associations. It is the perfect opportunity to taste the rustic cuisine of the Alto Casertano, made of simple ingredients and home-style recipes.

Why it is worth a visit

The San Giacomo Fair is not a staged reconstruction: it is the continuation of an economic and social event documented for over seven centuries. Those who arrive in Marzano Appio will find a hillside village a few kilometers from Teano, a compact center that for one evening fills with torches, drums, and banners, and a community that welcomes visitors without tourist filters. For those traveling in this part of Campania, between Roccamonfina and the Volturno river, it is a stop that tells much more than the size of the town might suggest.