San Giovanni Fair (Fiera di San Giovanni)

A fair that smells of rural tradition

The San Giovanni Fair, which the locals of Bobbio call Fëra ad San Giuvan in their dialect, is one of the most deeply rooted events in the calendar of Bobbio, a splendid medieval village in the Trebbia Valley, in the province of Piacenza, Emilia-Romagna. Linked to the figure of Saint John the Baptist and the summer solstice, the fair has its roots in the rural civilization of the Piacenza Apennines, when village markets dictated the rhythms of the countryside and the seasons.

What to expect

For two days, the historic center of Bobbio transforms into a large open-air market. The heart of the event is the Livestock Show, which brings cattle, sheep, and other farm animals to the gardens of the San Francesco convent, in an exhibition that showcases the valley's agricultural and pastoral vocation. Around it, in Piazza San Francesco, Largo San Troglio, Piazza Santa Fara, and the contrada of Porta Nova, you'll find:

• the farmers' market, with the flavors and typical products of the Apennines;
• the antique and vintage market;
• the charity stall managed by the Lions Club Bobbio, the organizational driving force of the fair;
• live music, ballroom dancing, and evening DJ sets;
• choral events and cultural moments in the village churches and cloisters.

A village to discover

The fair is also the perfect opportunity to visit Bobbio, listed among Italy's Most Beautiful Villages: the Abbey of San Colombano, the famous Ponte Gobbo (or Devil's Bridge) over the Trebbia River, the medieval alleys, and the panoramas that have inspired centuries of history and legends. Visiting the San Giovanni Fair means immersing yourself in the authentic life of an Emilia-Romagna town that, for a mid-June weekend, showcases the best of its rural and community traditions.