San Medardo Fair
The patron saint's fair in the village of Arcevia, with stalls and masterpieces of art
About San Medardo Fair
Arcevia's Patron Saint's Fair
The San Medardo Fair is one of the most cherished traditions of Arcevia, a hilltop village in the Province of Ancona, in the Marche region. Included in the regional calendar of public area fairs, it takes place every year on the Sunday closest to the liturgical feast of the patron saint, Saint Medard, celebrated on June 8th. It is a fixed event for the people of Arcevia: an opportunity to meet, shop, and spend a day of celebration within the medieval walls.
Saint Medard, Patron Saint of Arcevia
Saint Medard, or Medard of Noyon, was a Frankish bishop venerated by the Catholic Church, who died around 560 AD. He became the patron saint of Arcevia thanks to an ancient donation of relics: according to tradition, after Pepin the Short donated the city to the Church in 754, Charlemagne gifted the community a relic of the saint. The bond with the patron saint is preserved in the monumental Collegiata di San Medardo, an authentic treasure chest of art housing the Polyptych of Arcevia and the Baptism of Christ by Luca Signorelli, works by Ercole Ramazzani, and a glazed terracotta altarpiece by Giovanni della Robbia.
Stalls and Atmosphere
During the fair, the historic centre is transformed: colourful stalls wind their way at the foot of the castle, along Corso Mazzini, in Piazza Garibaldi, and along Viale Martiri della Resistenza. You can find food products, sweets, household items, garden and flower plants, clothing, typical local products, and crafts. Shops in the centre remain open, and the entire day, from morning to evening, becomes a large open-air market.
More Than Just a Fair
The San Medardo Fair is not just about shopping. The day is the perfect opportunity to visit Arcevia's artistic heritage, considered the "pearl of the mountains": in addition to the Collegiata, you can discover the Palazzo dei Priori, the Teatro Misa, the Convent of San Francesco with its cloister, and the adjacent State Archaeological Museum. Arcevia, enclosed within its mighty 13th-century walls and famous for its nine castles, is part of the circuit of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy.
San Medardo Fair — edition 2026
The San Medardo Fair 2026 will be held on Sunday, June 7th, in Arcevia, on the eve of the patron saint's feast day. The fair, traditional and popular in nature, occupies the historic centre with dozens of stalls winding at the foot of the castle, along Corso Mazzini and the main streets.
The detailed program (precise times and side events) is generally released by the Municipality of Arcevia and the Pro Loco in the days preceding the event. Based on recent editions, the indicative hours are from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with free admission. The day is also the ideal opportunity to visit the Collegiata di San Medardo and the other treasures of the village.
Programme San Medardo Fair 2026
The detailed program for the San Medardo Fair 2026 will be announced by the Municipality of Arcevia and the Pro Loco in the days preceding the event.
Usual structure of the day, based on recent editions:
- From 8:00 AM — opening of the fair with stalls winding at the foot of the castle, along Corso Mazzini, in Piazza Garibaldi, and along Viale Martiri della Resistenza.
- Throughout the day — stalls selling food products, sweets, household items, garden and flower plants, clothing, typical products, and crafts; shops in the historic centre open.
- Until 9:00 PM (indicative time) — closing of the event.
In conjunction with the fair, it is usually possible to visit the Collegiata di San Medardo, the State Archaeological Museum, and the exhibition spaces of the San Francesco cultural centre.
Highlights San Medardo Fair 2026
A stroll among the stalls at the foot of the medieval castle and the opportunity to visit the Collegiata di San Medardo with the masterpieces by Luca Signorelli.
Prices San Medardo Fair 2026
Practical information — San Medardo Fair
When
The Sunday closest to the feast of Saint Medard (June 8th). Indicative hours from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Free admission.
Where
Historic centre of Arcevia (AN): Corso Mazzini, Piazza Garibaldi, and Viale Martiri della Resistenza. During the fair hours, traffic and parking restrictions are in effect on the affected streets.
How to get there
By car: Arcevia can be reached from the A14 motorway exit at Senigallia, driving up the Misa Valley (approx. 40 km). The nearest train station is Senigallia, connected by bus to the hinterland.
Contacts
Pro Loco Arcevia: [email protected] — tel. 0731 9127.
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Where does it take place — San Medardo Fair
Centro storico di Arcevia
Corso Mazzini, 60011 Arcevia